	synonyms	Leucadendron 'Maui Sunrise'
	height	4–6ft
	width	4–5ft
	tolerates	Coast, Pots, Wind
	water needs	Low – Moderate
	water info	Leucadendrons are from Mediterranean areas of South Africa, so they’re right at home in coastal California. Once established they are quite drought tolerant, but they will grow and look their best with deep watering every two or three weeks during summer. These plants prefer well-drained soil, but most leucadendrons are fairly adaptable. If you have heavier soil be careful not to oversaturate your plant, and water very infrequently during summer, once established.
	hardy to	25F
	exposure	Part Shade – Full Sun
	indoor outdoor	Outdoor
	drainage	In Ground: Cactus Mix, In Pots: Cactus Mix, Tolerates Sandy Soil
	fertilizing	Bloodmeal, Fish Emulsion, Low Needs, No Phosphorus
	origin	Hybrid, South Africa
	california native	No
	sunset zones	16, 17, 20–24, H2

Growing Notes

Leucadendrons, even bushy ones, have a clean upright form. They can be pruned to either be bushier, by trimming back the crown after cones fade, or more upright, by pruning on the sides. It is best not to prune on growth that is more than two years old (where the branches become woody and leafless), or you risk your leucadendron not bushing back from that area. Prune up lower branches to make a tree-like form or hedge them to make a dense privacy screen.

All purpose fertilizer will kill this plant! Fertilizer is generally not necessary, though Leucadendrons prefer slightly acidic soil. Treat with cottonseed meal, iron, or other mild (low in phosphorus and potassium) acidifying fertilizer if you have basic soil. They also respond well to nitrogen, either in the form of fish emulsion or blood meal. Never give your leucadendron phosphorus, which will poison the plant and avoid potassium.

Special Interest

This Hawaiian hybrid was brought to horticulture during the 1980s and many consider it the most beautiful of all Leucadendrons. We won’t pick sides, but sure can see why one would think so!

Leucadendrons don’t have typical flowers, but instead they have brightly colored cones held at the branch tips, above equally bright bracts (colorful leaves below the cone). The bracts on this particular hybrid are so large and dramatic that the small cones are barely visible inside. Leucadendrons are plants are dioecious, meaning that some plants are male and others female, and the cones vary slightly by sex.

The colorful bracts of this plant make long lasting fillers for flower arrangements.

Leucadendron salignum x laureolum ‘Maui Sunset’

Growing Notes

Special Interest