Bottlebrush
Callistemon citrinus
Also called Callistemon and Crimson bottlebrush
Garden plant · ShrubsTHE STEM GROWS ON THROUGH THE FLOWER and out the other side, which looks like damage and is not — the brush ends up partway along a shoot with new leaves beyond it. Never cut behind a spent brush; that is next year's wood.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Medium
- Water
- Every 5 daysDrench and drain — water the whole surface until it runs from the holes.
- Light
- Full sun
- Feed
- Every 30 days
- Humidity
- Average
- Hardiness
- Half-hardy — a light frost RHS H3, to -5°C
- Size
- 2 m tall · 2 m across
- Lifecycle
- Shrub
- Origin
- Eastern Australia
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsSafe for pets
PeopleNot checked yet
Nobody has checked this one against a source for us yet, so treat it as unknown rather than safe.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-09-21.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.