Lissanthe spp.

native cranberry

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

HardinessZones 9–10

Overview

Lissanthe spp. is a genus of about seven species of small evergreen shrubs in the heath family, Ericaceae (subfamily Styphelioideae), endemic to Australia. Plants are wiry, low to medium shrubs 8-40 inches (20-100 cm) tall, with small, stiff, narrow leaves that are often sharply pointed and crowded along the stems. In late winter and spring, short tubular flowers, white to pink and usually under 0.4 inch (10 mm) long, hang in small clusters along the branches and are followed by small, rounded, fleshy fruits. The fruits of some species, such as L. sapida, are edible and give rise to the common name native cranberry. The genus grows in well-drained, sandy or gravelly, low-nutrient soils in heathland, dry forest, and rocky sites, in full sun to light shade. Like many Australian heaths, it is adapted to poor soils and seasonal dryness and is sensitive to high phosphorus and to waterlogging. Plants are slow-growing and can be difficult to propagate and establish.

Native Range

Lissanthe spp. species are endemic to Australia, occurring across southern and eastern regions in heathland, dry sclerophyll forest, woodland, and rocky outcrops, on sandy and gravelly low-nutrient soils.

Suggested Uses

Grown in native and water-wise Australian gardens, heath and rockery plantings, and low-nutrient sandy beds, and used in habitat and revegetation plantings. The edible-fruited species are grown as bush-food plants in suitable climates.

How to Identify

Recognize Lissanthe spp. by small, stiff, narrow, often sharply pointed leaves crowded along wiry stems, typical of the Australian heaths. Short tubular white to pink flowers under 0.4 inch (10 mm) hang in small clusters in late winter and spring. Small rounded fleshy fruits follow, edible in some species.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 3'4"

Width/Spread1' - 3'4"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Winter Spring

Flowering occurs mainly in late winter and spring, generally August to November in the native Southern Hemisphere range. Small tubular white to pink flowers hang along the branches over several weeks. Rounded fleshy fruits ripen in spring and summer.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to pink

Foliage Description

Green to grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Lissanthe spp. grows in full sun to light shade in sharply drained, sandy or gravelly, low-nutrient and acidic soils. Like other Australian heaths, it is sensitive to high phosphorus fertilizers and to waterlogged soil, both of which cause decline. Established plants tolerate seasonal dryness and poor soils that limit many garden plants. Good drainage and air movement reduce root and foliage diseases. The genus is frost-tolerant only to a limited degree, suiting mild-temperate to warm climates. Propagation from seed and cuttings is slow and often unreliable.

Pruning

Light tip pruning after flowering keeps plants compact and bushy. Only small amounts of growth are removed at a time, as these heaths respond poorly to hard cutting into old wood. Dead or damaged stems are cleared as needed.

Pruning Schedule

late spring