Melaleuca lanceolata
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Melaleuca lanceolata

Rottnest Island teatree · Rottnest teatree · Dryland teatree · Western black teatree · Black paperbark

Tier 2 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
20–37 °C
Soil pH
6–8
Hardiness
Zone 9–11
Click count
34
Observations
25

Description

Source: leafsnap

Melaleuca lanceolata commonly known as black paperbark, moonah, Rottnest Island teatree and western black tea tree is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is native to Australia where it occurs in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. It is a densely foliaged tree with rough bark, which flowers prolifically in summer.

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun

Moonah is native to open habitats, like sunny meadows and the edges of forests, where plenty of light is available. It does best in full sun but can also tolerate partial sun, adapting well to different sunlight levels.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C

Moonah is quite temperature-adaptable, tolerating higher heat and wide temperature fluctuations. In hot weather, attention to watering and provision of suitable shade are necessary to avoid sunburn. On the other hand, Moonah is rather sensitive to low temperatures: it can handle a certain amount of cold, but overly cold conditions can result in frost damage.

Ideal temperature: 20–37.8°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-8
Soil pH: 6-8
🌱 Fertilizer

The timing of fertilizing Moonah is important. Begin fertilizing in early spring and continue once a month until early summer. Fertilizer promotes attractive blooms and supplies energy during both dormant periods and active growth.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

To ensure your moonah plant thrives, it's important to engage in regular pruning during early spring. This helps improve the plant's health and shape. Concentrate on removing any dead or diseased wood, as well as branches that are overcrowded. This will enhance airflow and allow more sunlight to reach the plant, encouraging bushier growth and more vibrant flowering.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Tree
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Melaleuca
Family
Myrtaceae
Hardiness Zone
9-11
Mature Height
4.88 m to 7.92 m
Mature Spread
3.05 m to 4.88 m
Leaf Color
Gray, Dark Green
Leaf Type
Evergreen
Flower Color
White
Flower Size
0.51 cm to 0.76 cm
Bloom Time
Summer
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
Fall

Tags (8)

Common Names (11)

en Rottnest Island teatree
en Rottnest teatree
en Dryland teatree
en Western black teatree
en Black paperbark
en Black Papebark
en Black tea-tree
en Dry land tea tree
en Rottnest Island tea-tree
en Moonah
en Monaah