How to grow grevillea moonlight

Grevillea Moonlight is a widely cultivated and popular garden plant in Australia. Grevillea moonlight are fantastic evergreen plants, ranging from small tree to large shrub. Grevillea are probably the most widely grown group of Australian plants. Grevillea moonlight make a beautiful addition to any garden and are known for being easy to grow. Birds love the creamy white flowers, abundant during spring and summer and often reoccurring through the year. Striking blooms make grevillea moonlight a wonderful addition to any Australian backyard and are a great way to bring a pop of colour to your winter garden.

If you have ever wondered how to grow grevillea moonlight in Perth, Western Australia then look no further. A relatively plant to grow there are a few tricks to successfully growing Grevillea moonlight in Australia but get these right and you will be laughing.

When to plant grevillea moonlight in Australia:
The best time to plant grevillea moonlight in Australia is autumn because the temperature is less extreme than summer. When winter rains come, new plants are assured of adequate moisture which is critical for root growth. Australia’s relatively mild winters allow for continued root establishment right through spring.

By the time the first summer arrives the new plant has had six plus months to establish before temperatures begin to get hot. Setting new plants up with a very good chance of survival in the hotter summers of Australia

When do grevillea moonlight flower?
Grevillea moonlight will flower from Winter to Spring but some will give you blooms all year round in the right conditions.

Grevillea moonlight height:
Grevillea moonlight height will grow 3-5 metres in height and 2-4 metres wide.

How to grow grevillea moonlight at home:

1. Choose a full sun to half shade location to plant. Prepare the planting area well by digging in a Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver and Plant Fertiliser.
2. Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball.
3. Carefully remove the plant from the pot being careful to disturb the roots as little as possible.
4. Position your plant in the hole and back-fill with soil, gently firming down. Form a raised or doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant’s root zone. This helps keep water where it’s needed. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.
5. Mulch with woodchips and water in well.
6. Feed in autumn and spring with Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver and Plant Fertiliser to promote strong root development, healthy leaf growth and lots of flowers.

Growing grevillea moonlight in pots:
Grevillea moonlight can be grown in pots making them ideal for smaller garden spaces.

1. Place the pot in a position that receives full sun to part shade.
2. Fill the pot with a quality potting mix.
3. Carefully remove the grevillea moonlight plant from the pot disturbing the roots as little as possible.
4. Position in pot or container and fill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.
5. Mulch with woodchip and water in well.
6. Feed in autumn and spring with Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver and Plant Fertiliser to promote strong root development, healthy leaf growth and lots of flowers.

Growing grevillea moonlight from cuttings:
You can grow grevillea moonlight from cuttings. It is best to take your cuttings from the hardened new growth that arises between during summer to early autumn.

1. Make cuttings of about 7-10cm in length. Choose firm, semi-ripe shoots. This can be done during summer or early autumn. Keeping the cuttings cool like wrapping them in damp paper if not potting up straight away as they will dry out quickly.
2. Trim the leaves off the lower half of the cutting, ensuring no bark is torn off the stem.
3. Remove young growing shoots or flowers.
4. Dip the cut end into a rooting hormone powder to stimulate faster, more reliable root growth. Grevillea moonlight prefer a low nutrient propagation mix, like 1:2 parts peat moss and coarse sand.
5. Place the entire pot in a plastic bag and seal.
6. The new cutting will produce roots in about 4 to 8 weeks and can be potted up once the roots are 3-5cm long.

Growing grevillea moonlight from seed:
Put mature pods in paper bag or place stocking over nearly mature seeds as they explode on opening.

The most usual method of pre-treatment is to ‘nick’ the outer seed coat or soak the seed in boiling water. This needs to be done with care to avoid damage to the embryo. Use the seed within 6 months.

Seed can be sown in normal seed raising mixes and seedlings can germination is from 2-8 weeks.

Should grevillea moonlight be pruned?
Yes, grevillea moonlight should be pruned. Give the bush a light prune back after flowering.

How often should I water grevillea moonlight?
When you first plant your grevillea moonlight you should be watering twice a week for two to three weeks, then once a week for about four weeks. Water more in hot, dry weather and less in winter or cooler, moist conditions. It’s important not to over

Best fertiliser for grevillea moonlight:
Using the right fertiliser for grevillea moonlight can directly improve your flower production. For disease and insect free healthy grevillea moonlight fertiliser is a must.

Now the question; what is the best fertiliser for grevillea moonlight?

Use a low phosphorus native plant fertiliser, because grevillea moonlight are very well adapted to low phosphorus conditions. Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser is my pick in Australia.

When to fertilise grevillea moonlight?
Feed in autumn and spring with a dynamic lifter and soil improver and plant fertiliser product.

Grevillea moonlight companion plants:
Some great companion plants for grevillea moonlight include grass trees, kangaroo paw, lillypilly, native daisy, flame pea, banksia and acacia.

Grevillea moonlight problems:
There are a couple of problems to watch out for with grevillea moonlight.

• Fungal pathogen (Phytophthora cinnamomi) attacks the conducting tissues of the plant, causing it to wilt and finally collapse.
• Scale – Small white, pink, black or brown patches or raised bumps on leaves and stems.

Leave us some comments about your experience growing grevillea moonlight in Australia.

Check out our other how to grow in Perth guides:

• How to grow grevilleas
• How to grow banksias
• How to grow grass trees