Brush Cherry bonsai

Brush Cherry Bonsai Care

Syzygium paniculatum

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Zones 12 to 13, indoor. An evergreen shrub or tree from eastern Australia, the native range Kew gives (New South Wales and Queensland).

Myrtaceae (the myrtle family) · Evergreen broadleaf shrub or tree from subtropical Australia, kept as an indoor bonsai

At a glance

Type
Broadleaf evergreen
Leaves
Evergreen
USDA zones
12 to 13
Indoor or outdoor
Indoor-capable
Growth rate
Moderate
Bonsai popularity
Tier 1

Close-up photo reference

Compare your tree against these to confirm the species and spot problems early.

Brush Cherry in flower
Flower, Forest and Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0 us
Brush Cherry fruit
Fruit / seed, Forest and Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0 us

Brush Cherry quick reference

USDA zones12 to 13 in a pot: zone 12's winter lows of 50 to 60°F (10 to 16°C) only just meet Yorkshire Bonsai's 50°F (10°C) minimum [12], so bring it in on cold nights there; zone 13's lows of 60 to 70°F (16 to 21°C) clear it and match Phoenix Bonsai's preferred 59 to 64°F (15 to 18°C) [13] [15] [16]. In the ground UF/IFAS gives 10 to 11 [3] and Phoenix Bonsai 10b and 11 [13]
Indoor / outdoorIndoor in winter, in a greenhouse or the house [11] [12]; outside in a sheltered spot in warm weather [12]. Herons keeps it as an indoor tree [14]
LightSunny and warm [11]; it can take full sun, with partial shade in the hottest areas [11] [13]; Yorkshire Bonsai adds afternoon shade in heat [12]
WaterWater thoroughly once the soil surface starts to dry [11] [12], but never let the inner rootball dry out [12]; generously in summer, less in winter [13]. Rainwater if your tap water is hard [11] [13]
SoilA standard bonsai mix or an acid azalea soil such as kanuma [11] [13]; Yorkshire Bonsai wants an open mix that still holds some water [12]
RepotEvery 2 years in spring [11] [13]; Yorkshire Bonsai repots when roots crowd the pot, commonly about every 2 years [12]
FrostNone: it does not tolerate frost [11] [14]. Phoenix Bonsai: never below 30°F (-1°C) [13]; UC IPM: the garden plant is damaged below 25°F (-4°C) [4]. Yorkshire Bonsai keeps it above 50°F (10°C) [12]; Phoenix Bonsai prefers 59 to 64°F (15 to 18°C) for this species in winter [13]
Mature heightNo source gives a bonsai size. In the wild to about 49 ft (15 m) [8], 49 to 66 ft (15 to 20 m) per ANPSA [7]; as a garden plant 12 to 20 ft [3] or 30 to 50 ft [4]
Growth rateModerate: UF/IFAS's rating for the garden plant [3]; Bonsai Empire says it grows vigorously and needs frequent pruning [11]
Season of interestReddish new foliage [3]; white flowers from spring to autumn [8]; magenta fruit [9] [10]
Leaf reductionNot rated by the sources we checked; Phoenix Bonsai says the leaves are fairly small to begin with [13]
Main risksMain risks, not ranked by any source: cold and frost [4] [11], drafts and temperature swings [11] [13], uneven watering [13], hard water [13], pests [11]

Overview & Character

Brush cherry is an evergreen shrub or tree from eastern Australia, the native range Kew gives (New South Wales and Queensland), where it grows mainly in the subtropical biome [1]. Kew accepts the name Syzygium paniculatum [1], and the RHS places it in the Myrtaceae with Eugenia paniculata as a synonym [2]. In the bonsai trade it is often sold as Eugenia myrtifolia, the name Bonsai Empire puts on its care page [11]; Wikipedia records that name as a synonym [10].

The names are muddled. The RHS and UF/IFAS call this plant brush cherry [2] [3], but Wikipedia calls it magenta lilly pilly or magenta cherry and gives "brush cherry" to Syzygium australe, a species often confused with it [10]. In the wild it is threatened: Vulnerable nationally, per Wikipedia [10].

It grows vigorously and needs frequent pruning [11]. Yorkshire Bonsai calls it a tender bonsai that needs protected indoor conditions in winter [12], and it dislikes frost, drafts and swings in temperature [11] [14].

Identification

Foliage. Glossy, firm, dark green leaves in opposite pairs [11], paler beneath [8]. Sources give 1.8 to 3.9 in (4.5 to 10 cm) long [8] or 1.2 to 3.5 in (3 to 9 cm) [9] [10]; they smell when rubbed [8]. New growth is reddish [3] or tinged pinkish bronze [6].

Bark & trunk. Flaky and brown [8]; two Hawaii botanical garden specimen notes call it smooth [6]. The garden plant is often multi-trunked [3].

Growth habit / form. A dense, bushy tree [9]; left to grow as a tree it forms a single trunk and an oval crown [11].

Flowers / fruit. Clusters of white flowers [8] with a fluffy look [7]. The fruit is round or oval, pink to magenta or reddish purple, 0.6 to 1 in (15 to 25 mm) long [8]; UF/IFAS gives under 0.5 in [3]. It is edible, sour and apple-like, and is made into jam [10].

Look-alikes & how to tell them apart: Syzygium australe is the closest. NZPCN separates them by the young twigs: smooth on this species, generally 4-angled or shortly 4-winged on S. australe [9]. A New South Wales flora, though, describes this species' branchlets as round to 4-angled [8], so twigs alone may not settle it; buy from a seller who names the botanical name.

Climate & USDA Zone

In the ground. UF/IFAS gives USDA zones 10 through 11 [3], and Phoenix Bonsai says it is generally hardy in zones 10b and 11 [13]. UC IPM says the garden plant can be damaged where temperatures fall below 25°F (-4°C) and is not frost tolerant [4]. These are garden figures, not bonsai figures. UF/IFAS lists it as not known to be invasive [3]; in New Zealand it seeds itself freely, even into native forest [9].

In a pot. The bonsai sources want it warmer than the garden figures suggest:

USDA zones are bands of the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature, 10°F wide [15]. Zone 12 (50 to 60°F) meets Yorkshire Bonsai's 50°F minimum and zone 13 (60 to 70°F) clears it; zone 11 (40 to 50°F) falls below it [16], so the zones row gives 12 to 13 for a potted tree. Phoenix Bonsai's preferred 59 to 64°F [13] sits near or above the top of zone 12's band, which points to a winter indoors even there.

Light

Bonsai Empire wants a sunny, warm spot; it can take full sun, but partial shade is better in the hottest areas [11]. Phoenix Bonsai agrees, adding that it accepts low light but does better when bright [13]. Yorkshire Bonsai introduces direct sun gradually and gives afternoon shade in heat [12].

Watering

Water thoroughly as the soil starts to dry, and never let the rootball dry out.

UF/IFAS and ANPSA rate the garden plant tolerant of drought [3] [7]; no bonsai source says that of a potted tree. If it wilts, Yorkshire Bonsai checks for both dry soil and soil that stays soggy before watering [12].

Soil & Root Care

Bonsai Empire uses a standard bonsai mix or an azalea soil such as kanuma [11]; Phoenix Bonsai uses basic bonsai soil or an acid azalea mix, because it likes slightly acid soil [13]. Yorkshire Bonsai wants an open mix with good water retention [12].

Repotting. Every 2 years in spring, pruning the roots moderately [11]; Phoenix Bonsai says early to mid-spring and finds bottom heat helps new roots [13]. Yorkshire Bonsai repots when roots crowd the pot or drainage slows, commonly about every 2 years [12].

Feeding

Pruning & Styling

Bonsai Empire and Phoenix Bonsai let 6 to 8 leaf pairs grow, then cut back to 1 or 2 pairs [11] [13]. Phoenix Bonsai says it takes hard pruning because it grows so strongly [13]. Large wounds heal poorly, so avoid them [11] [12].

Styles. No source we checked names bonsai styles for it.

Seasonal Calendar

Care calendar by month

Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, shift every month by six.

Propagation & Cuttings

Ease: No source we checked rates it. Best methods: cuttings and seed [7] [11] [13].

Phoenix Bonsai takes cuttings in summer, sows seed in fall and also air-layers [13]. ANPSA uses seed or softwood cuttings [7].

Pests

Bonsai Empire lists scale, mealybugs, Caribbean fruit fly, aphids and spider mites [11]; Phoenix Bonsai gives the same list [13]. UF/IFAS names scales and mites on the garden plant [3]. Sticky leaves or dark bumps point to scale, which a fungicide will not treat [12].

Psyllids. UC IPM lists eugenia among the plants psyllids commonly attack, and its symptoms include distorted leaves and early leaf drop [5]; ANPSA describes pimple-like wounds and distorted growth on this species [7]. Phoenix Bonsai says psyllids limit its use in parts of California [13]. UC IPM avoids insecticides for psyllids unless the damage is intolerable [5].

Disease, Fungus & Infection

Few diseases. Phoenix Bonsai says no disease is of major concern [13].

Myrtle rust. NZPCN says it may be prone to myrtle rust [9].

Cultural problems. UC IPM lists frost, salt build-up, and too little or too much water as disorders of the garden plant [4]. Phoenix Bonsai links leaf drop to uneven watering rather than disease [13].

Most Common Causes of Death

No source we checked ranks these. They are the main risks the sources describe, in no particular order:

Sources

  1. Kew Plants of the World Online: Syzygium paniculatum
  2. RHS: Syzygium paniculatum
  3. UF/IFAS EDIS FP567: Syzygium paniculatum, Brush Cherry
  4. UC IPM: Eugenia (Australian Brush Cherry)
  5. UC IPM Quick Tips: Psyllids
  6. Plants of Hawaii: Syzygium paniculatum
  7. Australian Native Plants Society (Australia): Syzygium paniculatum
  8. Plants of South Eastern New South Wales: Syzygium paniculatum
  9. New Zealand Plant Conservation Network: Syzygium paniculatum
  10. Wikipedia: Syzygium paniculatum
  11. Bonsai Empire: Brush Cherry (Eugenia myrtifolia or Syzygium)
  12. Yorkshire Bonsai: Care Guide for Syzygium (Brush Cherry) Bonsai Trees
  13. Phoenix Bonsai Society: Australian Bush Cherry (Syzygium paniculatum)
  14. Herons Bonsai: Syzygium (Brush Cherry) Bonsai Tree
  15. USDA ARS: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
  16. The Old Farmer's Almanac: What Are Plant Hardiness Zones?

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