Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Back to search results
Trees

Corymbia ficifolia

flowering gum

Tender evergreen tree about 6-15m depending on local conditions, with rough, dark greyish-brown bark, and ovate to broadly lance-shaped, mid to dark green leaves, paler beneath to 15cm long. From summer to autumn bears large clusters of 3-7 scarlet or flame-coloured flowers towards the ends of the branches followed by urn-shaped woody seed capsules

Other common names
red gum
red-flowering gum
see morescarlet-flowering gum
Synonyms
Eucalyptus ficifolia

Join the RHS

Become an RHS Member today and save 25% on your first year

Join now
Save to My plants
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Red Green
Autumn Red Green Brown
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Myrtaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Spreading branched
Name status

Correct

Plant range
South Australia

Advertise here

How to grow

Cultivation

In frost-free areas, grow in neutral to acid soil that doesn't dry out, in full sun with shelter from wind; in frost-prone areas, grow in a cool or temperate greenhouse, in a mix of lime-free potting compost and grit, in full light with good ventilation. Water freely in spring and summer and apply a general fertiliser monthly, water sparingly in winter. See eucalyptus cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 13-18°C in spring and summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • Sub-tropical
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Cut flowers
Pruning

Pruning group 1, or for the best display of juvenile foliage use Pruning group 7. May need restrictive pruning under glass. See Eucalyptus: pruning.

Pests

May be susceptible to eucalyptus gall wasp and eucalyptus sucker

Diseases

May be susceptible to silver leaf and oedema

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.