About Grass Trees

Xanthorrhoea glauca, Xanthorrhoea pressii, Xanthorrhoea johnsonii

Grass Trees are very slow growing with mature plants being centuries old. Grass Trees only grow in Australia.

These remarkable plants have a lifespan of 600 years but are very slow-growing. The trunk takes a decade to form initially as it is composed of a mass of old leaf bases held together by a natural resin. It is then a further 20 years or more before the mass of thin, linear leaves rises above it. From then on, it grows only about 1-2cm (0.4-0.8in) in height per year. We have observed plants which have taken 27 years to grown 30 centimetres (one foot).

This plant grows to a height of over 4 metres and often has branches. It’s growth rate is only about 1 metre every 100 years. However, the flowering stalk grows at a rate of 2 – 3 cm per day reaching to a height of over 3 metres. Mature plants will result in flowering every 2 – 3 years. The Grass Tree attracts a wide range of lizards and insects that shelter in the plant’s massive foliage. The flowering spear of the plant attracts honey eating birds, bees, ants, and butterflies.

One of the casualties of clearing land is the unique Australian Grass Tree. Many of these plants are hundreds of years old. Removing these plants from the land prior to clearing and replanting them later is one way of saving the plants. By adding plants to commercial and residential land not only ensures the plants will live on for generations to come, they also make splendid features that require very little water and maintenance. Local councils have discovered how versatile these plants are by planting them in nature strips. Landscapers use Grass Trees to produce long-life garden features that will never become outdated.

Inside or out, potted or hanging, with Grass Trees you can create your own stunning native feature.

How to plant Grass Trees

Grass Trees make excellent native plants in commercial and domestic environments. Once re-established, they make outstanding features. A little care and planning in the beginning will result in plants that require minimal maintenance or water. Below are a few tips to help to make the job easier.

1 Choose a sunny area (although Grass Trees will also thrive in semi-shade)
2 Select well-drained soil. If the ground is clay, plant above ground level in a raised mound or raised bed to prevent root rot due to excess moisture. If soil is sandy, add garden mix at a rate of 1 part sand to 1 part garden mix. The garden mix will add nutrients and help with water retention.
3 Plant to a depth so that the top of the root ball is at ground level.
4 Water in and compact the soil around the root ball making sure that there are no air pockets and that the plant is firmly seated.
5 Water once to twice weekly during the dry season making sure that the root ball and developing roots get thoroughly wet – about 50 litres/week.
6 Each spring for the first two years, cut off any flower stalks/cones and prune foliage.

Caring for Grass Trees

Palm Plantation of Australia has developed specialized processes that result in Grass Trees becoming more hardy and resilient to transplanting. Once re-established, Grass Trees will require very little maintenance. Below are a few tips to help you grow a more healthy and attractive plant.

1 Plants of approximately 1-2 metres require about 30-50 litres of water per week. Reduce this amount by 50% if the plant is in clay soil.
2 Add a slow release fertilizer every 3-4 months to stimulate foliage and root growth. This plant as with most Australian native plants prefers a fertilizer mix containing trace elements, but with low phosphorus (P) content.
3 Fallen debris from surrounding trees should be removed from the plant foliage to help prevent fungal infestation.
4 Apply pesticide to foliage as required. For scale insects, spray the foliage with white oil.
5 If the leaves become dry or brown trim off 1/3 to ½ of the foliage to encourage new growth.

The Grass Tree is native to an area where severe frosts are common. (-10 degrees celcius)

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