Calytrix tetragona
Calytrix tetragona · Myrtaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around calytrix tetragona and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Calytrix tetragona, Starflower
- Family
- Myrtaceae
- Form
- Compact shrub
- Foliage
- Evergreen, fine and linear
- Flowering
- Spring to summer (star-shaped flowers in white, pink or purple)
- Adult size
- 1 to 2 m in height and width
- Hardiness
- Low hardiness, Mediterranean to subtropical climate
- Origin
- Western Australia
- Soil type
- Well-drained, poor to medium
Care
Light exposure
Place your Calytrix tetragona in full sun for optimal flowering and better compactness. Provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. In very hot climates, light afternoon shade can be beneficial.
Watering
Water regularly during growth and flowering periods, keeping the soil moist but avoiding waterlogging. Reduce watering in winter or during dormancy. Water in late afternoon to minimize evaporation.
Soil and substrate
Use well-draining potting mix enriched with sand or perlite to improve air circulation. Calytrix prefers poor to medium soil; excess nutrients promote foliage at the expense of flowering.
Pruning and shaping
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact, bushy form. Remove dead or poorly oriented branches. Moderate pruning encourages branching and more abundant flowering the following year.
Fertilization
Apply balanced fertilizer or one light in phosphorus-potassium during the growing season (spring-summer). Reduce or stop fertilizing in autumn-winter. Avoid excess nitrogen, which weakens the plant.
Pests and diseases
Watch for mealybugs and spider mites indoors or in dry climates. Good drainage prevents root rot. Regularly air out the foliage to prevent fungal diseases.
Did you know?
Calytrix tetragona gets its name from the Greek 'kalyx' (calyx) and 'trix' (hair), as its sepals are thread-like and finely cut. Native to the arid regions of Western Australia, this spectacular shrub produces delicate star-shaped flowers that attract pollinizers, particularly bees and butterflies, making it a must-have in Australian Mediterranean gardens.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Blue gumEucalyptus globulus
- MyrtleMyrtus communis
- MānukaLeptospermum scoparium
- Strawberry guavaPsidium cattleianum
- Snow gumEucalyptus pauciflora
- Woolly TeatreeLeptospermum lanigerum
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.