New Zealand Tea Tree
Leptospermum scoparium
Also listed as Leptospermum humifusum, Leptospermum bullatum
Also known as Mānuka, Manuka Teatree, Tea Tree
Climate Match for your location
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A hardy evergreen shrub native to New Zealand, prized for its delicate flowers and aromatic foliage. It thrives in dry conditions and poor soils, making it excellent for drought-prone gardens and coastal settings.
Why grow it
Leptospermum scoparium tolerates poor, sandy, or gravelly soils better than many ornamental shrubs, making it useful for sites where conventional landscape plants struggle. It requires minimal supplemental water once established, distinguishing it from related flowering evergreens that demand more consistent moisture. The fine, needle-like foliage and prolific small flowers offer fine textural contrast in mixed plantings without the maintenance demands of higher-input alternatives.
Watch out for
This plant performs best in full sun and well-draining soil; poorly drained sites often lead to root rot regardless of drought tolerance. In humid climates or with overhead irrigation, fungal diseases can reduce plant vigor and appearance. Young plants benefit from consistent moisture during establishment, which may take one to two seasons before drought hardiness becomes reliable.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Myrtaceae
Native Range
New Zealand
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
Red Damask features showy double crimson flowers, Crimson Glory offers deep red blooms, Snow White produces pristine white flowers, and Horizontalis is a low-spreading form useful as groundcover.
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A hardy evergreen shrub native to New Zealand, prized for its delicate flowers and aromatic foliage. It thrives in dry conditions and poor soils, making it excellent for drought-prone gardens and coastal settings.
Climate Match for your location
See how well New Zealand Tea Tree grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Leptospermum scoparium tolerates poor, sandy, or gravelly soils better than many ornamental shrubs, making it useful for sites where conventional landscape plants struggle. It requires minimal supplemental water once established, distinguishing it from related flowering evergreens that demand more consistent moisture. The fine, needle-like foliage and prolific small flowers offer fine textural contrast in mixed plantings without the maintenance demands of higher-input alternatives.
Watch out for
This plant performs best in full sun and well-draining soil; poorly drained sites often lead to root rot regardless of drought tolerance. In humid climates or with overhead irrigation, fungal diseases can reduce plant vigor and appearance. Young plants benefit from consistent moisture during establishment, which may take one to two seasons before drought hardiness becomes reliable.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Myrtaceae
Native Range
New Zealand
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar shrubs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
Red Damask features showy double crimson flowers, Crimson Glory offers deep red blooms, Snow White produces pristine white flowers, and Horizontalis is a low-spreading form useful as groundcover.