Spear Lily

Spear Lily (Doryanthes palmeri) is one of the boldest statements an Australian native garden can make: a rosette of broad sword shaped leaves about 2m tall and 3m across, with arching spikes of deep red flowers lifting the display to around 3m. Once established it asks for almost nothing, shrugging off drought, heat, salt wind and neglect.

Why you'll love it

• Architectural scale. The huge pleated leaves give instant sculptural presence that no shrub can imitate.
• A flower spike worth the wait. Mature plants send out arching red spikes packed with nectar rich blooms.
• Honeyeater habitat. A flowering plant becomes a feeding station for nectar loving birds for weeks on end.
• Nearly indestructible once settled. Drought tolerant, heat tolerant and salt tolerant, with no staking or cosseting required.
• Low maintenance by design. No pruning program, no pests you need to chase, just the occasional spent leaf to remove.

Where it works best

Feature planting. Use it as a single focal point in a native or contemporary garden, with low planting around it so the rosette reads clearly. Allow a full 3m of width from the start.

Rockeries, slopes and retaining walls. It anchors a rockery or terraced bank, and the heavy root system holds its ground on slopes that are awkward to maintain.

Coastal gardens. Salt tolerance makes it a reliable structural plant within reach of sea wind.

Growing Spear Lily in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to light shade with room to spread. It thrives in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate climates and takes light frost only once established, so in colder districts give it the warmest, most sheltered position you have.

Soil. Well drained soil of almost any type. On heavy clay, plant on a mound so the crown never sits in water.

Water and feed. Water deeply every week or two through the first summer. After that, rain does the job in most regions. A native fertiliser in spring helps an establishing plant along.

Pruning. There is none to speak of. Cut spent flower spikes at the base and pull away old outer leaves as they brown.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Spear Lily in 140mm packs of 10 and 200mm packs of 6 for slopes and massed structural planting, single 300mm and 400mm pots, and advanced 45L plants with real presence on day one. It builds size steadily rather than quickly, so buy the largest you can if impact this year matters. Flowering comes with maturity, and larger stock shortens the wait considerably.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse all Australian native plants
• Architectural plants for designer gardens
• More plants for rockeries
• Designing a native garden for wildlife

Common questions

How long before it flowers?

Years, not months. Spear Lily flowers once the rosette approaches mature size, so small plants can take the better part of a decade while advanced stock gets there much sooner. The foliage carries the garden in the meantime.

How big does it really get?

Plan for a rosette about 2m tall and 3m across, with flower spikes arching to roughly 3m. Taller spikes are recorded in the wild but are exceptional in gardens.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Only while young. It will sit happily in a large container for a few years, but the rosette eventually wants open ground to reach its full architectural size.

Will it survive frost?

Light frost only. An occasional light frost marks the outer leaves at worst, but regular or hard frosts are beyond it, so cold inland gardens should look elsewhere.