Metrosideros thomasii

Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
Rating: 4.8/5

Metrosideros thomasii NZ Christmas Bush

Metrosideros thomasii, commonly known as The New Zealand Christmas Bush, is a coastal, NZ native tree that produces stunning, crimson red flowers in summer. The flowers are complemented with foliage that is green when young and ages to become darker green with a grey felt as it grows to 5 m tall and the same wide. Metrosideros thomasii is an excellent choice for coastal gardens, growing as a specimen, adding to mixed plantings, or trimming into a hedge.

Metrosideros thomasii is currently unavailable, but we do have other other amazing species and varieties of Metrosideros available.

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Why? Our plants are subject to seasonality and high-demand. Please contact us if you would like to know when it becomes available again.

Suited to regions:	Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type:	Trees
Height:	5.00 m
Spread:	5.00 m
Flowering time:	Summer
Tolerances:	Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses:	Hedging, Pool areas, Screening
Garden styles:	Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native
Easy to grow?	Yes
Maintenance requirements	Low
Growth rate	Medium
Also known as	Metrosideros thomasii NZ Christmas Bush

Metrosideros thomasii care

Metrosideros thomasii is generally very easy to care for, thriving in New Zealand’s coastal and temperate climates. It prefers a sunny position and well-drained soil, though it can tolerate poor soils, clay, and even rocky ground. Once established, it is very drought-tolerant and also highly resistant to salt spray and strong winds, making it ideal for coastal planting. Regular watering is needed during its first couple of summers to help it establish, but after that, natural rainfall is usually enough. Pōhutukawa benefits from an occasional light trim if shaping is needed, preferably after flowering, though mature trees often need little to no pruning. It’s a good idea to mulch around the base to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, but avoid piling mulch against the trunk. Feeding is rarely necessary, but a general-purpose fertiliser in spring can encourage lush growth, especially for younger or potted plants.