Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree)

• Feature Tree
• Shade Tree
• Rural Property Planting
• Avenue Planting
• Council or Civic Landscapes
• Street Tree

Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) works in an:

• Australian Native Garden – celebrates local plants with natural character.
• Tropical Garden – lush, leafy planting for a resort-style atmosphere.
• Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
• Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height: 10m - 20m Approximately

Mature Width: 5m – 10m

Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) is expected to grow Approx. 50 – 100 cm per year.

Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) is expected to grow Approx. 50 – 100 cm per year.

They are considered to have a:

• Medium Growth Rate
• Fast Growth Rate

Is Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) frost tolerant?

Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

• Tropical QLD (Cairns, Townsville)
• Subtropical QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)
• Inland QLD (Darling Downs, Central QLD)
• Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
• South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
• Sydney & Central Coast
• Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
• Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
• Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
• Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
• Adelaide Metro & Coastal

Brachychiton acerifolius produces masses of brilliant scarlet bell-shaped flowers in late spring to early summer, often appearing on bare branches before the new leaves. These spectacular blooms create a dramatic, flame-red display that makes the tree one of Australia’s most iconic flowering species.

Does Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) flower?

• Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

• Spring
• Summer

Flower Type:

• Bell-shaped

Flower Colour:

Red

Yes

Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) is Native to Eastern Australia, from the Illawarra region of New South Wales north into Queensland, where it grows in coastal rainforests and along river valleys.

Its nectar-rich flowers attract honeyeaters, lorikeets, butterflies and native bees, while the dense canopy offers shelter for small birds. The seed pods also provide habitat and food for insects, contributing to a biodiverse and resilient garden ecosystem.

Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) will thrive best in:

• Full Sun

Brachychiton acerifolius performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It can struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained ground unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to enhance drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then reduce watering as the tree matures and shows its characteristic high drought resilience.

Is Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree) Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it benefits from regular watering, but once established Brachychiton acerifolius develops excellent drought tolerance. It thrives in hot, dry conditions and maintains its strong structure and seasonal performance with minimal supplementary watering.