How to Grow a Lilly Pilly
Our Tips On How To Grow A Lilly Pilly
Lilly pillies are gorgeous Australian natives. They encourage native birds and butterflies to visit your garden, make fantastic screening plants, and produce edible fruit. It’s no wonder they’re popular in gardens across the country!
In this article, we take a look at how to grow a lilly pilly, including some of the different varieties available, where to plant your tree, and steps for caring for your lilly pilly.
Lilly pilly varieties
There are many different varieties of lilly pilly to choose from. When you decide to plant a lilly pilly in your garden, you’ll want to first work out whether you want a small, medium, or large variety. Large lilly pilly varieties can grow up to 10 metres or more, while smaller types can be under 2 metres, so it’s important to do your research and choose a variety that works in your space.
Royal flame
Generally reaching anywhere from 1 to 2 metres at full height, this lilly pilly variety is great for smaller gardens.
Common lilly pilly
Sometimes referred to as acmena smithii, this lilly pilly grows between 3 and 5 metres, making it perfect as a screening plant or hedge.
Riberry lilly pilly
The Riberry variety can reach as tall as 10 metres if left unpruned and produces cream-coloured flowers and pink berries.
Check out our article for more information on lilly pilly varieties.
How to plant your lilly pilly
Lilly pillies love to be planted in spots that receive full sun or partial shade. Keep in mind that most varieties tend to struggle a little with frost, but you should be able to find some hardier varieties that if you live in an area that has cold winters.
When preparing the hole for your plant, make it double the width of the roots. Gently massage the roots of your lilly pilly before placing it in the hole, and then fill the space in with soil. Water your plant thoroughly once planted.
Caring for your lilly pilly
As an Australian native, the lilly pilly is pretty hardy to Aussie conditions. This means they generally don’t require a lot of attention to do well. Lilly pillies can be grown directly in the ground or in a pot, and bring beautiful, bright colours to a garden with their leaves, flowers, and berries.
Watering
When possible, lilly pillies should be watered often, particularly during the summer months. You should aim to water your lilly pilly around two to three times a week. However, when grown in the ground, these plants can tolerate drought conditions, meaning you won’t need to worry about them too much if you’re facing water restrictions. If grown in a pot, you will need to keep on top of watering your lilly pilly regularly, as they tend to dry out quicker than when grown in the ground.
Mulching
Mulch can help keep weeds away from your lilly pilly while also keeping the soil moist for longer. When laying down a mulch for your lilly pilly, be sure to keep a little distance between the mulch and the trunk. Mulching all the way up to the trunk can lead to wood decay and other issues.
Fertilising
While you don’t need to fertilise your lilly pilly, doing so can mean more berries, flowers, and general growth. Using a slow-release fertiliser can produce good results for your plant. Alternatively, you may like to use manure or compost made from garden and kitchen waste to help your lilly pilly grow.
Pruning
These plants have a tendency of growing fast, so you’ll need to prune them if you want them to keep a certain shape and size. Before pruning your lilly pilly, give it a good water. You may like to simply prune the tips, or give it a bigger prune to reduce its size. Encourage thick growth of your lilly pilly by regularly cutting the sides and top of the plant.Lilly pillies make wonderful garden plants. They can be used for hedging, screening, or as a decorative feature tree. Their flowers and leaves bring beautiful colours to a garden, and their fruits can be eaten by both birds and humans. Available in many different sizes, the lilly pilly plant is an Australian native that can be incorporated into many spaces, including pots and containers.
