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Richea pandanifolia

Pandani

Ericaceae Tasmania, Australia

Attracts Pollinators Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterHigh

HardinessZones 7–9

Overview

Richea pandanifolia is an evergreen shrub or small tree reaching 10-40 feet (3-12 m) tall, with a single or few unbranched stems topped by a crown of long, stiff, sword-shaped leaves. The leaves are 1.5-5 feet (45-150 cm) long and 0.8-1.6 inches (2-4 cm) wide, tapering to a narrow point, with sharp margins and a sheathing base; old leaves persist as a skirt of brown foliage on the stem. The form resembles a pandanus or a tall grass tree, though the plant belongs to the heath family Ericaceae spp.. Small flowers are packed into dense spikes among the upper leaves, in white through pink to reddish tones, opening in spring and summer. Growth is slow, with plants taking many years to reach tree size. Fruit is a small dry capsule. The plant grows in cool, wet, high-rainfall conditions and is intolerant of heat, drought, and dry air. The sharp leaf tips and persistent dead foliage are limitations in confined plantings.

Native Range

Endemic to Tasmania, Australia, where it grows in cool, wet montane and subalpine forest, heath, and along streams, generally above 2,000 feet (600 m) elevation. It occurs in high-rainfall areas with cool summers.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a specimen in cool-climate, high-rainfall gardens and in large containers in protected positions, spaced to allow the long leaves to spread. Used in collections of Tasmanian and alpine plants. The sharp leaves and need for cool, moist conditions limit use in warm or dry regions.

How to Identify

Identified by a tall, mostly unbranched stem topped with a crown of stiff, sword-shaped leaves 1.5-5 feet (45-150 cm) long with sharp margins, and a skirt of persistent brown dead leaves below the crown. Dense spikes of small white to pink flowers sit among the upper leaves. The pandanus-like form on a single trunk separates it from other Richea spp. species, which are lower and more branched.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10' - 40'

Width/Spread3' - 8'

Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowers in spring and summer (November to February in the Southern Hemisphere). The dense flower spikes last several weeks among the upper leaves. Flowering varies from year to year and is heavier on mature plants.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White through pink to reddish

Foliage Description

Green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.0 - 5.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

peat loam

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

many years; slow-growing

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Richea pandanifolia grows in part shade to full sun in cool, constantly moist, acidic, peaty soils with high humidity. It needs reliable moisture and cool conditions, and it declines in heat, dry air, and drought. Drainage must remain free even though the soil stays moist, as stagnant water rots the roots. Fertiliser needs are low, matching its nutrient-poor native soils. Growth is slow, and plants are difficult to establish outside cool, high-rainfall climates. Old dead leaves remain on the stem unless removed.

Pruning

Pruning is generally limited to removing the skirt of dead leaves from the stem for appearance or access. Cutting the single growing point stops height growth and can kill the stem. Spent flower spikes are left in place or trimmed once dry.