Tea Tree Seeds

TEA TREE Seeds

Botanical Name: Melaleuca alternifolia
Other Names: Tea Tree, Narrow-leaved Paperbark

• Australian native shrub renowned for its aromatic foliage and medicinal oil.
• Produces masses of fluffy white flowers that attract bees and pollinators.
• Hardy species suited to coastal, damp, and low-lying areas.
• Fast-growing and adaptable to a range of soil types.
• Excellent for screening, windbreaks, and native revegetation projects.
• Leaves traditionally used for their natural antiseptic properties.
• Provides valuable habitat for birds and beneficial insects.

Plant Details

• Plant Type: Evergreen native shrub / small tree
• Plant Height: 3–7 m tall (can be pruned smaller)

Sowing Information

• Germination: 2–4 weeks
• Depth: Surface sow; press lightly into soil
• Position: Full sun to part shade
• Sow Where: Seed trays or tubes; transplant when established
• Soil Type: Moist, well-draining soils; tolerates sandy or clay soils
• Spacing: 1.5–3 m between plants

Growing Tips

• Keep soil consistently moist during early growth.
• Benefits from mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Prune lightly after flowering to encourage bushy growth.
• Suitable for rain gardens and damp sites.

Flowering & Fruiting

In spring and early summer, Tea Tree produces abundant white bottlebrush-like flowers, followed by small woody seed capsules that remain on the stems.

Traditional & Practical Uses

• Leaves traditionally used by Indigenous Australians for their medicinal properties.
• Commercially cultivated for tea tree essential oil production.
• Planted for windbreaks, habitat restoration, and ornamental native gardens.

When to Sow Tea Tree in Your Climate