Leucadendron

( lew - kad - DEN - dron )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of evergreen trees and shrubs, also called Conebush, needs full sun and moderate water, and hails from South Africa. They are a prominent member of the fynbos ecoregion shrubland in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape areas in South Africa. Male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. The stems are great for dried and fresh arrangements, where they make long-lasting additions. Use these interesting shrubs as background foliage, in mixed beds and borders, in water-wise or drought-tolerant garden spaces, or simply as specimen plants in the ground or in containers. Take care when planting these shrubs in the landscape, as there are some sources that report that ingestion of plant parts is toxic to humans and animals.

Leucadendron Species and Varietals

The genus Leucadendron includes about 80 distinct species, and is a member of the plant family Protaceae. The name of the genus was derived from the Latin word 'leucos', which means white, and 'dendron', meaning tree. Leucadendron grows best in zones 16, 17, 20-24 and H1. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Leucadendron argenteum (Silver Tree, Silver Leaf Tree)
This tree is upright when young, and gnarling and twisted when mature. They can reach 40 feet tall and 25-30 feet wide, though they are typically about half that size. White silky leaves cover branches and are great for arrangements. Flowers and fruit are inconspicuous. This species needs fast-draining soil that is alkaline. Smaller plants are great for containers (for about three or four years until they grow to big), and larger plants are wonderful for hillsides and sloped areas. They do well in coastal areas and can be planted alone or massed.

Leucadendron coniferum (Dune Conebush)
These evergreen or deciduous shrubs can reach up to 13 feet tall and produce yellow-green foliage. They can be pruned into trees, emerging from their roots as a single main stem. Female cones hold on to seeds until they are released after fire.

Leucadendron discolor (Piketberg Conebush, Rooitolbos)
This upright shrub grows to 4-8 feet tall and wide, with gray-green leaves. Red-centered gold inflorescences appear on the shrub in fall and wintertime. Varieties include 'Flame Tip' (with yellow bracts under orange and red blossoms) and 'Pom Pom' (a male variety with white to pale yellow bracts around reddish orange cones).

​Leucadendron galpinii (Galpins Conebush, Hairless Conebush)
This shrub has an erect habit to 6-8 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide. Leaves are grayish green and male plants have yellow pom-pom flowers; females have grey, pink-tinged cones that are great for fresh and dried arrangements.
Leucadendron spp. Hybrids
This is a group of shrubs that vary in shape, size and color. They are tolerant of frost and clay soils. The characteristics of each are listed in the descriptions below.
'Pisa'
Fast-growing hybrid that gets to 6 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide, with willowy grey-green leaves and silver cones. The cones on this variety are surrounded by yellow-green bracts in springtime.
'Jester'
Leaves on this species are variegated with cream and green that are pink-flushed towards the tips of branches.
'Red Gem'
This compact grower gets to 4 feet tall and 5 feet wide, and has red bracts and yellow cones.
'Safari Sunset'
This hybrid reaches 8-10 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide quickly. Red bracts appear in summertime and fade to yellow in the center by winter.

Leucadendron linifolium (Line-Leaf Conebush, Duineknoppiesbos)
These shrubs are native to the Western Cape, South Africa. They reach up to six and a half feet tall when mature and in-bloom, and produce whitish-pink flowers. They prefer mainly water-permeable, sandy soil.

Caring for and pruning leucadendron shrubs

Plant your Leucadendron shrub in full sun (they need at least 6-8 hours of sun each day to perform well). Ensure that soil is well draining; they prefer a pH of 6.0 or lower. Water regularly during the first year, and then reduce watering, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Water towards the base of the plant to discourage mold issues. After flowering has faded, prune these shrubs to shape them and remove dead or damaged growth and old flower spikes. Avoid pruning these beauties too heavily - they will not always respond well! These are low-maintenance shrubs that do not require additional feedings, but if the plant is in especially poor soil or if it seems to be struggling, it may benefit from an early springtime feeding with a slow-release, balanced fertilizer for acid-loving plants. These plants can be damaged by cooler temperatures; they are hardy down to around 30 degrees. Anything lower will require some protection from frost. Either cover your plant during these times with a protective cloth, or move them indoors, if they are potted.​​

Propagation

​Leucadendron can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Leucadendron by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots. 
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Leudcadendron by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows. 
  2. Harvest your seeds. The seed heads are left behind after flowers fade. Keep in mind that male and female flowers are on separate plants, and if you are to have your seeds be fertilized, you'll need to have both in close proximity. Cut the seed heads off the plant and place them in a paper bag, They'll continue to be released, and you can then gather them and remove their coverings and feathery attachments.
  3. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination can take up to a year from sowing, and usually requires warm daytime temperatures and cool nighttime temperatures. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  4. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Leucadendron seeds are contained in seed heads and have feathery attachments.
Leucadendron seeds removed from their coverings and feathery attachments.

Problems and Pests

Leucadendron shrubs are generally free of pest and disease issues. For information on commonly encountered pests and diseases in the home garden, consult the following pages:
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Gallery

Choose Leucadendron shrubs for low-maintenance color.
They pair well with water-wise succulents like Aloe and Agave.
Use these shrubs to add height and color to borders.

Videos

How to prune your Leucadendron.
All about a popular variety, Safari Sunshine.
Using these shrubs in your garden to bring in foliage color.
How to prune a Leucodendron shrub.

Resources

How to Plant and Grow Leucadedron
How to Grow a Leucadendron Plant
Wikipedia: Leucadendron
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 407, Leucadendron
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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