Lilly pillies are the workhorses of Australian gardens. They grow fast, clip beautifully into dense hedges, handle everything from Brisbane humidity to Melbourne cold snaps, and feed native birds with their berries. If you want privacy from the neighbours without waiting a decade, a lilly pilly hedge is usually the answer.
This guide covers everything you need: choosing the right variety for your space, planting and spacing, watering, feeding, pruning, and fixing the common problems.
Quick facts
| Botanical names | Syzygium, Waterhousia and Acmena species |
| Type | Evergreen native shrub or tree |
| Height | 1m dwarf forms to 30m rainforest trees, most hedge varieties 2 to 5m |
| Position | Full sun to part shade |
| Soil | Moist, free draining, enriched with compost |
| Growth rate | Fast, up to 1m per year once established |
| Climate | Suits most of Australia, avoid heavy frost inland areas for some varieties |
Choosing the right lilly pilly
The variety matters more than most people realise. Match the mature size to the job and you will prune twice a year instead of monthly.
For hedges and screening (2 to 5m)
- Lilly Pilly Resilience is our most popular screening plant for good reason. It is psyllid resistant, dense from the ground up, and comfortably reaches 3 to 4m. From $17.95.
- Bush Christmas is a compact, tidy grower to around 3m with bronze new growth, ideal for formal hedges.
- Northern Select is a fast, affordable screener from $12.95 that thrives in warm climates.
For narrow spaces
Straight and Narrow does exactly what the name says: a slim column to about 60 to 80cm wide, perfect along fences, driveways and pool boundaries where a normal hedge would swallow the path.
For small gardens and pots
Allyn Magic is a true dwarf, staying under 1m with glossy copper new growth. It makes a neat border or a clipped ball in a pot.
For feature trees
The Weeping Lilly Pilly (Waterhousia floribunda) is one of the most elegant native trees available, with soft cascading foliage and a dense canopy that also works as tall screening to 8m and beyond. Luehmann's Lilly Pilly offers spectacular pink new growth on a small rainforest tree.
Planting your lilly pilly
When to plant: Any time of year in frost free areas. In cooler regions, plant in spring or early autumn so roots establish before winter.
Soil preparation: Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and the same depth. Mix compost through the backfill. Lilly pillies like moisture but hate waterlogged feet, so mound the soil slightly in heavy clay.
Hedge spacing: For a dense hedge, space plants 50 to 80cm apart for varieties like Resilience and Bush Christmas. For a quicker screen you can go as close as 40cm with tubestock. As a rule of thumb, 2 plants per metre gives fast results, and 1 plant per metre is the budget option that fills in within an extra season or two.
Watering in: Water deeply at planting and every 2 to 3 days for the first few weeks, then weekly through the first summer. Mulch 5 to 7cm deep, keeping mulch clear of the trunk.
Not sure what size to start with? Our pot and bag size guide explains what to expect from each size, and every order is covered by our 30 day guarantee.
Ongoing care
Watering
Established lilly pillies are surprisingly tough, but they hedge best with consistent moisture. Deep water once a week in dry spells, more often for plants in pots. Yellowing leaves plus wet soil usually means overwatering, not underwatering.
Feeding
Feed in spring and again in late summer with a controlled release native friendly fertiliser. Lilly pillies tolerate phosphorus better than many natives, so a general purpose fertiliser also works. A fed hedge grows noticeably denser and holds colour through winter.
Pruning
The secret to a thick hedge is early, light and frequent pruning. Tip prune young plants every few months to force branching, even if it feels like you are cutting away your progress. Once established, trim after each growth flush, typically two to four times a year. Lilly pillies respond to hard pruning too, so an overgrown hedge can be reduced by a third and will recover within a season.
Common problems and fixes
Pimply, distorted new leaves: That is psyllid, the number one lilly pilly pest. Trim off affected growth and bin it. Better still, plant resistant varieties like Resilience or Acmena types such as the Broad Leaved Lilly Pilly and you will likely never see it.
Scale and sooty mould: Black sooty coating on leaves points to scale insects. Treat with horticultural oil in the cooler part of the day.
Sparse, leggy growth: Usually too much shade or not enough pruning. Move to a sunnier spot if potted, and tip prune to encourage density.
Slow growth: Check drainage and feed in spring. Plants in compacted clay establish slowly until roots break through.
Frequently asked questions
How fast do lilly pillies grow?
Most hedge varieties put on 60cm to 1m per year once established, faster in warm climates with regular water and feeding.
How tall does a lilly pilly hedge get?
Whatever height you maintain it at. Resilience and Bush Christmas sit comfortably between 2 and 4m, Straight and Narrow suits 2 to 3m in tight spots, and Weeping Lilly Pilly can screen to 8m or more.
Are lilly pillies safe near pools and pipes?
Hedge varieties have relatively compact, non invasive root systems and are a popular pool screening choice. Keep large tree forms like Waterhousia at least 3 to 4m from pipes and structures.
Can you eat lilly pilly berries?
Yes, the berries are edible with a tart, clove like flavour, and they are excellent for attracting native birds. They also make a decent jam.
Do lilly pillies grow in pots?
Dwarf and compact varieties do well in large pots with premium potting mix and regular water. Allyn Magic and Bush Christmas are the best choices.
Ready to plant?
Browse our full range of privacy and screening plants, explore more Australian natives, or jump straight to our fast growing plants if the neighbours are the motivation. Orders are delivered Australia wide, with details on our delivery page.