Western Tea Myrtle Seeds Melaleuca nesophila

WESTERN TEA MYRTLE Seeds

Botanical Name: Melaleuca nesophila
Other Names: Western Tea Myrtle, Showy Honey-myrtle

• Hardy Australian native shrub to small tree known for its masses of vibrant pink to purple pom-pom flowers.
• Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it an excellent biodiversity plant.
• Evergreen foliage provides year-round structure, screening, and ornamental value.
• Well adapted to coastal conditions, tolerating wind, salt spray, and sandy soils.
• Drought-tolerant once established and suited to low-maintenance native gardens.
• Long flowering period creates a striking feature plant in landscapes and large gardens.
• Ideal for hedging, windbreaks, and revegetation in suitable climates.

Plant Details

• Plant Type: Evergreen native shrub to small tree
• Plant Height: 2–4 m tall; 2–3 m wide (can be pruned smaller)

Sowing Information

• Germination: 2–6 weeks (can be variable)
• Depth: Surface sow; do not cover seed (light aids germination)
• Position: Full sun to light shade
• Sow Where: Seed trays or tubes; transplant when seedlings are well established
• Soil Type: Free-draining soils; tolerates sandy, coastal, and poor soils
• Spacing: 1.5–3 m between plants

Growing Tips

• Use a fine, free-draining native seed-raising mix and keep evenly moist during germination.
• Avoid fertilisers high in phosphorus; use native fertiliser only if required.
• Water regularly during establishment; minimal watering needed once mature.
• Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth.

Flowering

Spectacular pink to purple bottlebrush-style flower clusters appear mainly in spring and early summer, often with repeat flowering in favourable conditions, providing an excellent nectar source for pollinators.

Traditional & Practical Uses

• Widely used as an ornamental feature plant and flowering hedge in native landscapes.
• Valued for pollinator support and habitat creation in gardens and revegetation projects.
• Well suited to coastal plantings, streetscapes, and low-water landscapes.

When to Sow Western Tea Myrtle in Your Climate