Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Country Or Region Of Origin
SE. Queensland to New South Wales
Plant Profile: Melaleuca linearis var. linearis
Names
Erect Bottlebrush, Stiff Bottlebrush
Phonetic Spelling:me-luh-LOO-kuh lin-ee-AIR-iss lin-ee-AIR-iss
Genus:Melaleuca
Species:Melaleuca linearis
Family:Myrtaceae
A tropical shrub with broadleaf evergreen characteristics, this plant hails from Australia and belongs to the Myrtaceae family. It serves as an outstanding specimen or hedge in regions free from frost, and it can also thrive in containers or as a houseplant in cooler climates. Additionally, it exhibits moderate tolerance to salt.
**Seasons of Interest:**
- **Bloom:** Summer
**Wildlife Value:** The flowers are a source of nectar for bees.
**Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Issues:** Generally, this plant does not face significant insect or disease challenges. However, be vigilant for spider mites and scale, especially on indoor specimens. Root rot may develop in soils that do not drain well.
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis Feature Summary
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis Image Gallery
Tags
#fragrant
#evergreen
#houseplant
#specimen
#wildlife plant
#fragrant leaves
#nectar plant
#salt tolerant
#interiorscape
#winter interest
#hedges
#pollinator plant
#bee friendly
#non-toxic for horses
#non-toxic for dogs
#non-toxic for cats
#tropical feel
#container plants
Similar Plants
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis Feature Summary
Attributes
SE. Queensland to New South Wales
Flowers provide nectar for bees.
Wildlife Food Source
Flowers
Flowers are numerous bushy bright red stamens that encircle the stem in cylindrical spikes (to 4” long) resembling bottlebrushes. They are followed by small, button-like, brown seed capsules.
Gold/Yellow
Red/Burgundy
Summer
Tubular
3-6 inches
Leaves
Narrow, linear, dull green leaves (to 5” long) are fragrant when bruised.
Broadleaf Evergreen
Green
Linear
3-6 inches
Fragrant
Whole Plant Traits
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Good Drainage
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Coastal
9a
9b
10a
10b
Stem
Landscape
Winter Garden
Hedge
Specimen
Container
Coastal
Pollinators
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis Image Gallery
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis Attributes
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Wildlife Value
Flowers provide nectar for bees.
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Play Value
Attractive Flowers
Attracts Pollinators
Buffer
Colorful
Defines Paths
Easy to Grow
Edible fruit
Fragrance
Pieces Used in Games
Screening
Shade
Sound
Textural
Wildlife Cover/Habitat
Wildlife Food Source
Wildlife Larval Host
Wildlife Nesting
Wind Break
Wind Shimmer
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis Flowers
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Flower Description
Flowers are numerous bushy bright red stamens that encircle the stem in cylindrical spikes (to 4” long) resembling bottlebrushes. They are followed by small, button-like, brown seed capsules.
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Flower Color
Gold/Yellow
Red/Burgundy
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Flower Bloom Time
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Flower Shape
Bell
Cross
Crown
Cup
Dome
Funnel
Irregular
Lipped
Radial
Saucer
Star
Trumpet
Tubular
Urn
Wheel
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Flower Size
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis Leaves
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Leaf Description
Narrow, linear, dull green leaves (to 5” long) are fragrant when bruised.
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Leaf Color
Green
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Leaf Shape
Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Leaf Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Leaf Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long-lasting
Showy
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis Whole Plant Traits
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Habit/Form
Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis Cultural Conditions
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Available Space To Plant
12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: NC Region
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
10a
10b
9a
9b
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis Stem
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis Landscape
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Landscape Theme
Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Design Feature
Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Resistance To Challenges
Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Landscape Location
Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland
Melaleuca linearis var. linearis: Attracts
Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees
