Brachychiton rupestris - Bottle Tree - Evergreen Trees Direct

Brachychiton rupestris - Bottle Tree

Name: Brachychiton rupestris - Bottle Tree
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
SKU: BRACHRUP2000L-1
Price: 24000.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$24,000.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

1000 in stock

Title: 2000L

2000L 1000L - Option A - 3m - 5.5m trunk 1000L - Option B - 3m - 5.5m trunk 1000L - Option C - 3m - 5.5m trunk 400L 100L

Current Stock Height Guides

200L: 2.5m – 3.5m Approx.
400L: 2.8m – 3.7m Approx.
1000L: Enquire within for height guide information.
2000L: Enquire within for height guide information.

Trade Customers

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About Brachychiton rupestris - Bottle Tree

Brachychiton rupestris, widely known as the Bottle Tree, is an iconic Australian native valued for its unmistakable swollen trunk, which stores water and enables exceptional drought tolerance. This sculptural feature makes it a standout in dry-climate gardens, civic landscapes, and rural properties seeking a bold botanical statement.

Its narrow, deep green leaves contrast beautifully with its broad trunk, and clusters of subtle yellow-green bell-shaped flowers appear in early summer. With an upright, open canopy and low-maintenance requirements, it suits both formal and naturalistic designs.

Looks excellent when used as a specimen tree in open lawn areas or integrated into dry-climate plantings where its form can be fully appreciated.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Brachychiton rupestris - Bottle Tree is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10m - 20m Approximately

Mature Width: 4m – 6m

Brachychiton rupestris - Bottle Tree is expected to grow Approx. 30 – 60 cm per year.

Frost Tolerance

Is Brachychiton rupestris - Bottle Tree frost tolerant?

Brachychiton rupestris - Bottle Tree is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Flowering Information

Brachychiton rupestris produces clusters of small, creamy-white to pale-yellow bell-shaped flowers in summer. While more modest than some hybrids, these blooms create a soft seasonal highlight before developing into woody seed pods.

Native Information

Is Brachychiton rupestris - Bottle Tree an Australian Native? Yes

Brachychiton rupestris - Bottle Tree is Native to Native to central and southern Queensland, where it grows naturally in semi-arid woodlands and grasslands.

Wildlife Value

Its flowers attract native bees, butterflies and beneficial insects, while the dense canopy and thick trunk provide shelter for small birds and wildlife. The woody seed pods also support insects and seed-eating species, contributing to a resilient and biodiverse ecosystem.

Sunlight Information

Brachychiton rupestris - Bottle Tree will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preffered Soil

Brachychiton rupestris performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It can become stressed in heavy clay or poorly drained soil unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to enhance drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures and develops outstanding drought resilience.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Queensland Bottle Tree (or Bottle Tree)

Genus: Brachychiton

Botanical Species: rupestris

Family: Malvaceae

Botanical Name: Brachychiton rupestris

Landscape Uses

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

Brachychiton rupestris - Bottle Tree works in an:

Australian Native Garden – celebrates local plants with natural character.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Planting, Spacing & Care

How to Plant Brachychiton rupestris

Location Choice: Select a sunny spot with good drainage.
Soil Prep: Though adaptable to various soils, a well-draining mix is ideal.
Hole Dimensions: Roughly twice the diameter of the root ball.
Planting: Set the tree in the hole, ensuring it's straight, then fill with soil and press down gently.
Watering: Water thoroughly after planting and frequently during its initial growing phase.

Hedging & Screening: Not suitable – wide trunk and open crown

Feature Tree: 6 m – 8 m – Allow space to highlight its iconic bottle-shaped trunk

Avenue Planting Trees: 8 m – 10 m – Striking silhouette when evenly spaced

Caring for Brachychiton rupestris

Watering: Limited watering is needed once established.
Mulching: Apply organic mulch around the base to conserve moisture.
Pruning: Rarely required; can trim to maintain desired shape or health.

Optimizing Soil for Distinctive Trunk Formation and Drought Tolerance

Ideal Drainage: Brachychiton rupestris does best in well-drained, sandy soil.

Well-Draining Soil: Excellent for supporting the tree’s unique water-storing trunk.

If you have the following soil, here are some tips for you:

Sandy Soil: Naturally perfect, providing the drainage this tree prefers. Supplement with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to support growth without overdoing moisture retention.
Clay Soil: Generally unsuitable without significant modification. Amend heavily with sand and compost to improve drainage.
Loamy Soil: Ensure it is not too compact or moisture-retentive. Amend with sand if necessary to improve drainage.
Peaty Soil: Typically too moisture-retentive; adjust with coarse sand or gravel to enhance drainage and suit the tree’s needs.

Brachychiton rupestris - Bottle Tree is expected to grow Approx. 30 – 60 cm per year.

Medium Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

Ideal Conditions

Tropical QLD (Cairns, Townsville)
Subtropical QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)
Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
Sydney & Central Coast
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
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
Adelaide Hills & Barossa

Thrives in

Full Sun

Frost Tolerance

Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Drought Tolerance

As a young tree it benefits from regular watering, but once established Brachychiton rupestris develops exceptional drought tolerance. Its distinctive swollen trunk stores water, enabling it to thrive in hot, arid and low-maintenance landscapes with minimal supplementary watering.

Flowering Information

Does Brachychiton rupestris - Bottle Tree flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring
Summer

Flower Type:

Bell-shaped

Flower Colour:

Cream

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What contributes to the Bottle Tree's distinct shape? The tree's swollen trunk stores water, assisting it in surviving droughts and giving it its unique bottle-like appearance.
Are Bottle Trees suitable for urban planting? Yes, due to their drought resistance and captivating shape, they are popular choices for urban and street plantings.
Do they require any specific soil type? They are adaptable to a variety of soils but prefer well-draining ground.