Growing a Leucadendron in a pot

Which varieties to choose?

Container gardening is well suited to Leucadendron, which is frost-sensitive below -4 to -5°C. Its cultivation should be reserved for open ground in Zone 9b (-3.9°C to -1.1°C). This method of cultivation allows it to be brought out in the warm season and stored away from frost in winter. Some varieties are more compact than others, particularly those that do not exceed 1 to 1.30 m in height at ripeness, making them perfect for bright terraces or balconies. Among them are Leucadendron ‘Jack Harre’, Leucadendron ‘Cheeky’, which is a mini version not exceeding 60 cm in height, and Leucadendron ‘Devil’s Blush’.

Leucadendron ‘Jack Harre’ (© Stervinou)

What type of pot to choose?

It is important to choose a large, wide pot that measures at least twice the size of the root ball. Choose a pot that is at least 50 cm in width and depth. To grow a Leucadendron in a pot, prefer a pot made of terracotta, a porous material that allows the soil to be better aerated and the roots to breathe more easily. The bottom of the container must be pierced to allow watering or rainwater to drain away; this bush does not tolerate moisture at the roots.

Prefer terracotta for your Leucadendron in a pot

Which substrate to choose?

The Leucadendron requires light, well-drained, filtering soil with an acidic tendency, remaining cool in summer. You will create a mix of 1/3 heather soil, 1/3 garden sand or pumice, and 1/3 garden soil or potting compost. The substrate must be perfectly drained, as the Leucadendron is particularly sensitive to root rot.

→ To learn everything about substrates, check out our article: «Balcony, terrace and small gardens: potting compost and fertilisers perfect for small spaces – The latest innovations»

When and how to plant it?

Plant the Leucadendron preferably in spring, from March to June so that it establishes well before summer. Place the pot at the foot of a well-exposed wall, on a terrace or balcony in full sun.

• At the bottom of the drainage hole pot, place a good drainage layer 10-15 cm thick, made of clay balls or pumice
• Cover this drainage layer with part of the mix
• Place the root ball in the pot so that the top of the root ball is 2-3 cm below the rim of the pot
• Fill in with the rest of the mix, ensuring not to bury the collar of the bush
• Lightly compact
• Water generously to keep the substrate moist

How to care for a Leucadendron in a pot?

Watering

Water regularly and moderately with non-limestone water during the growing season, allowing the substrate to dry well between waterings. Be vigilant in summer, as in pots the substrate dries out much faster than in the ground. In a terracotta pot that allows the substrate to breathe, it will need to be watered more frequently. Reduce watering in winter to once every two weeks in the absence of rain.

Ideally, provide rainwater to your Leucadendron

Fertiliser

As it is sensitive to excess phosphates and nitrates, Leucadendron does not like overly rich soils. If you have taken good care of the planting substrate, it will not be necessary to fertilise it, as this could harm its flowering.

Pruning

Pruning should be done in spring or summer, after flowering. To maintain a bushy habit, use a pruning shear to trim the tips of the branches by one-third at the end of flowering.

Wintering

Endemic to the Cape of Good Hope region in South Africa, Leucadendron is a frost-sensitive plant. If you live in a cold area, it is imperative to bring it indoors at the first signs of frost. As soon as the first signs of cold appear, move your pot to a frost-free, unheated location (around 10 °C). Once there is no longer a risk of frost, take it back outside, acclimatising it gradually. If you live in a mild climate where temperatures do not drop below -5 °C in winter (Zone 9b (-3.9°C to -1.1°C), or even Zone 9a (-6.7°C to -3.9°C) depending on the varieties), you can leave your Leucadendron to winter in its pot outside, taking a few precautions, as the roots in pots are more exposed to the cold than in the ground. Wrap the pot with fleece and insulate it with cardboard and bubble wrap to keep the roots warm. Remove these protections when all risk of frost has passed.

Repotting

Repotting every 2-3 years into a larger pot is recommended. In other years, you can simply top-dress with a top dressing to replace the old compost with new, a few centimetres thick.

For further reading

• The most beautiful collection of Leucadendron is in our nursery!
• Discover in video: The Leucadendron
• And to avoid any failure, we advise you to plant appropriately; feel free to adopt our Plantfit web application!