Banksias: a friendly, easy guide

Banksias are some of Australia’s most dramatic and useful plants. They come in trees and shrubs, show off a huge range of flower colors, and feed a stack of native animals. There are more than 170 kinds, almost all found only in Australia, so there is always something new to spot on a walk or add to your garden.

Banksia basics — what to watch for

Flowers
Banksia blooms grow as big spikes made of hundreds of tiny flowers. Colors can be yellow, orange, red, pink, purple and even a very deep almost black. Often the color shifts as the flowers open, which makes them fun to watch.

Seed pods
The cones are tough and woody. In many species they only open after fire or very dry conditions, which is how seeds get released into the world.

Leaves
Leaves vary wildly. Some are spiky, some have jagged edges, some feel leathery and some are silvery underneath. The leaf shape is one of the best ways to tell species apart.

Who visits them
Birds such as lorikeets and honeyeaters love the nectar. Possums and insects are frequent visitors too.

Where to find them
You can see banksias across Australia, except in deserts and tropical rainforests. Western Australia holds the greatest variety.

Tall tree banksias

Coast Banksia
Looks like a tall tree of roughly 5 to 25 m. The bark is smooth and silvery grey. Leaves are oval, green above and silvery below. Flower spikes are pale yellow and appear from late summer into winter. This one tolerates sandy soil and salty sea air.

Saw Banksia, also called Old Man Banksia
A tree or large shrub from about 2 to 12 m. The bark is rough and corky. Leaves are long with big sharp teeth that look a bit like a saw. Flowers are greenish yellow cylinders from summer into winter. It favors sandy coastal forests and carries large, gnarly seed cones.

River Banksia
This is one of the tallest species and can reach about 30 m. It has a tall straight trunk and creamy yellow flower spikes that open in autumn. You will usually find it growing near rivers.

Shrub banksias that steal the show

Heath Banksia
A bushy shrub around 3 to 6 m tall with thin spiky leaves. Its flowers are bright orange red rocket shapes in autumn and winter. This species is Sydney’s floral emblem and it is brilliant at attracting birds. It handles frost and coastal winds well.

Hairpin Banksia
A smaller shrub, roughly 1 to 3 m tall, with narrow green leaves. Flowers form golden yellow spikes with long dark red tips that stick out like hairpins. It blooms in autumn and has neat dwarf varieties too.

Swamp Banksia
Usually shorter, about 1 to 2 m. Leaves are large, broad and leathery with toothed edges. Flowers start blue green and turn bright gold from summer into spring. As the name suggests, it loves wet places and is happy in soggy ground.

Small and ground hugging types — great for gardens

Birthday Candles
A tiny plant about 50 cm tall. It produces short, fat golden yellow and red flower spikes in winter and is perfect for pots.

Roller Coaster
A ground covering form that can spread up to 4 m wide. It has pretty yellow flower spikes and is excellent on slopes.

Honey Pots
A compact shrub around 2 m with deep golden flowers tipped in red. Birds absolutely adore it.

Cultivars people are loving

Giant Candles
A large shrub around 5 m with huge orange flower spikes that can reach about 40 cm long. It copes with some frost.

Black Magic
A dramatic compact shrub of about 2 m with golden flowers tipped in very dark, almost black points.

Cherry Candles
Small, about 50 cm, with slender gold and red flowers that look great in pots.

How to tell banksias apart

Look at these things in order: what the flowers look like, what color they are and whether color changes as they open, the leaf shape, overall size and form, bark and seed cones, and where the plant grows. Combine those clues and you can narrow a name down fast.

Growing happy banksias

Sun
Most banksias love full sun.

Soil
This is crucial. Most banksias need soil that drains water very well. Sandy or gravelly soil suits them best. An exception is Swamp Banksia which likes wetter ground. Never use ordinary garden fertilizer that has high phosphorus content. That can seriously harm them.

Water
Once established they are quite drought tolerant. Young plants benefit from weekly watering for the first year.

Pruning
Pinch back the tips of young plants to encourage bushiness. Some species, like Saw Banksia, tolerate hard pruning after flowering because they have a lignotuber at the base that helps them reshoot.

From seed
Many banksia cones open in response to heat. You can gently heat cones to release seed, then sow in a sandy potting mix.

More than just pretty flowers

Dried flowers
Cut the flower spikes and hang them upside down in a dark airy space. They dry beautifully and can last for years.

Wildlife champions
Banksias are a vital food source for native animals. Some species support endangered birds like Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo. Protecting banksia habitats helps protect those animals.

Why banksias are brilliant

From towering coast trees to tiny pot friendly varieties, banksias are tough, striking and distinctly Australian. They reward a little attention with long lasting flowers, a steady stream of wildlife visitors and lots of character. Plant one, wander through bushland and enjoy watching their colors change as the seasons turn. They really do bring the wild straight into your garden.