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Santalum lanceolatum

blue bush

Santalaceae

Arid, semi-arid, and tropical Australia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Santalum lanceolatum is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the sandalwood family, growing 6-23 feet (2-7 m) tall, often with a spreading, weeping outline. The grey-green leaves are narrow and lance-shaped, 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long, frequently drooping from slender branches. Small cream to greenish flowers about 0.2 inch (5 mm) across cluster along the stems, mainly in the warmer months, and are followed by rounded fruits 0.4-0.8 inch (1-2 cm) wide that ripen from green through red to deep purple-black. The fleshy fruits are edible and have long been used as bush food. Like other sandalwoods, the species is a root hemiparasite, drawing part of its water and nutrients from the roots of nearby host plants while still making its own sugars, so it grows poorly without suitable hosts. It is widespread across arid, semi-arid, and tropical Australia, in woodland, scrub, and along watercourses. The grey foliage, edible fruit, and tolerance of heat and dry conditions suit dryland native gardens, bush-food plantings, and revegetation where host plants are present.

Native Range

Santalum lanceolatum is native to mainland Australia, where it is widespread across arid, semi-arid, and tropical regions in all mainland states and the Northern Territory. It grows in open woodland, scrub, rocky rises, and along inland watercourses.

Suggested Uses

Grown in dryland and arid-zone native gardens, bush-food plantings, and revegetation projects where host plants are present. The grey foliage and dark edible fruit suit low-water gardens and wildlife plantings. A reliance on host plants and intolerance of wet soils limit its use in irrigated or heavy-soil gardens.

How to Identify

Identify Santalum lanceolatum by its grey-green, narrow lance-shaped leaves that often droop from slender, sometimes weeping branches on a shrub or small tree. Small cream flowers cluster along the stems and give way to rounded fruits 0.4-0.8 inch (1-2 cm) wide ripening through red to purple-black. The combination of grey drooping foliage and dark edible fruit separates it from the unrelated chenopod shrubs also called bluebush.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 23'

Width/Spread6' - 13'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Flowering occurs mainly in the warmer months and can be irregular, often following rain. Clusters of small cream to greenish flowers open along the stems. Rounded fruits then ripen from green through red to purple-black over several weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

cream to greenish

Foliage Description

grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 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 Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

4-6 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow Santalum lanceolatum in full sun on light, well-drained sandy or loamy soils in a warm, dry climate. As a root hemiparasite, it grows more reliably when planted near suitable host plants such as acacias and other hardy natives, whose roots it taps for water and nutrients. Water through establishment, after which it tolerates extended dry periods. It is sensitive to heavy, poorly drained soils and to hard frost when young. Once established with hosts, it needs little care beyond occasional deep watering in prolonged drought.

Pruning

Prune young plants lightly to shape the canopy and remove low or crossing branches. Mature plants need little pruning beyond removal of dead wood. Hard pruning is avoided, as recovery can be slow in dry conditions.