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Phyllanthus hirtellus
thyme spurge
Overview
Phyllanthus hirtellus is a wiry, much-branched evergreen shrub reaching 12-40 inches (30-100 cm) tall and spreading 12-32 inches (30-80 cm) wide. The slender branchlets are often arranged in flat sprays, with small leaves set in two rows along each side, giving the foliage a thyme-like or fern-like appearance. Individual leaves are oval to elliptic, 0.1-0.3 inch (3-8 mm) long, dull to mid green, and sometimes slightly hairy along the margins and stems. Plants are monoecious, carrying separate tiny male and female flowers in the leaf axils; the flowers are about 0.04-0.08 inch (1-2 mm) across with pale greenish to reddish segments. The fruit is a small rounded capsule about 0.1 inch (2-3 mm) wide that splits to release its seeds. Growth is slow to moderate, and the shrub forms a dense, twiggy habit in open positions and a more open shape in shade. It tolerates dry spells once established but is sensitive to prolonged waterlogging.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, occurring in New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria. It grows in heathland, dry sclerophyll forest, and woodland, typically on sandy or rocky low-nutrient soils from the coast to inland ranges.Suggested Uses
Used in native and habitat gardens, low informal hedging, and rockeries on sandy soils, spaced 20-32 inches (50-80 cm) apart. Suits low-water and coastal plantings in mild climates. Grows in containers of at least 3 gallons (11 L) with free-draining mix.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'4"
Width/Spread1' - 2'8"
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pale green to reddishFoliage Description
dull to mid greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to part shade on freely draining sandy or gravelly soils of low to moderate fertility. Regular watering through the first year aids establishment; mature plants tolerate seasonal dry periods and need little supplementary water in temperate climates. Heavy clay and prolonged wet soil cause root decline. The shrub responds to light tip pruning with denser growth and needs no routine feeding on native soils, though low-phosphorus fertilizer suits container culture. Few pests affect the species, though root-rot fungi occur in poorly drained ground. Lifespan in cultivation is typically several years to about a decade.Pruning
Light tip pruning after flowering keeps the habit dense and compact. The plant tolerates harder cutting back into older wood, which it reshoots from slowly. Pruning is otherwise optional, as the natural form stays low and twiggy.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons