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Plant Profiles / Lilly pilly

Photos: Wikimedia Commons

OutdoorAustralian nativeHedgeEdiblePet friendly

Lilly pilly

Syzygium australe (e.g. 'Resilience') · Brush cherry, scrub cherry

A fast-growing Australian native with glossy leaves, bronze-red new growth, fluffy white flowers and edible pink berries. The go-to plant for hedges and screens.

Full sun to part shadeLight

WeeklyWater

EasyCare level

Care at a glance

Light

Full sun to part shade

ShadeFull sun

Best growth and colourful new foliage in sun; tolerates part shade.

Water

Weekly

DryWet

Water regularly while establishing and in pots. Drought tolerant once established in the ground.

Humidity

Average

LowHigh

Handles humidity well.

Temperature

-3–38°C (27–100°F)

CoolWarm

Tolerates light frost once established.

Growth

Fast, dense shrub

SlowFast

Grows 2–5 m, easily kept at 1–2 m with clipping.

Soil

Well-drained, enriched

LeanRich

Adaptable; add compost.

Fertiliser

Spring & autumn

RarelyOften

A native or general slow-release fertiliser twice a year.

Pet safety

Non-toxic

SafeToxic

Berries are edible; considered safe for pets.

About this plant

Lilly pillies are native to the rainforests of eastern Australia. Modern varieties like 'Resilience' are bred for resistance to psyllids, the sap-sucking insects that cause pimply leaves. They respond well to clipping and make dense hedges, topiaries and screens in pots.

Best spots

Hedges, privacy screens on balconies, topiary in pots and courtyard screening.

Plant facts

Botanical name	Syzygium australe (e.g. 'Resilience')
Family	Myrtaceae
Origin	Eastern Australia
Plant type	Evergreen shrub or small tree
Mature size	2–5 m (pruned 1–2 m)
Growth rate	Fast
Foliage	Glossy green with bronze-red new growth
Flowers	Fluffy white flowers
Toxicity	Non-toxic; berries edible
Propagation	Cuttings

Seasonal care calendar

Active growth

Flowering

Prune

Fertilise

Active growthFloweringPruneFertilise

Based on Southern Hemisphere seasons.

Troubleshooting

Pimply, distorted leaves	Psyllids. Prune affected growth; choose resistant varieties.
Sparse hedge base	Not enough light or clipping. Trim regularly from young.
Black sooty leaves	Scale insects. Treat with horticultural oil.
Yellow leaves	Poor drainage or nutrient deficiency.
Berry mess on paving	Clip after flowering to reduce fruit.