Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) - Evergreen Trees Direct

Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree)

$140.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 25L

25L 40cm/45L 70L 100L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: Enquire within for height guide information.
70L: Enquire within for height guide information.
100L: Enquire within for height guide information.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 5m to 12m (approx.)

Mature Width: 3m to 6m

Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm (moderate) per year (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

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)

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree)

Melaleuca lanceolata develops a gnarled, wind-sculpted trunk and dense dark canopy that defines the character of southern Australian coastlines. The Moonah handles salt-laden wind, sand and drought that would strip almost any other tree, while carrying masses of creamy-white bottlebrush flowers in spring.

Melaleuca lanceolata grows to 5 to 12 metres tall and 3 to 6 metres wide at 30 to 60 centimetres per year, with the eventual size depending heavily on exposure. In sheltered inland positions it grows taller and straighter; on the front line of a coastal site it stays low, broad and sculptural.

This Australian native is frost hardy, surviving heavy and frequent frost without damage, and tolerates poor sandy soils, limestone, salt and extended dry. It grows in full sun and is a standard choice for coastal revegetation and shelterbelt planting.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Melaleuca lanceolata

How big does the Moonah tree grow?

Melaleuca lanceolata reaches 5 to 12 metres tall and 3 to 6 metres wide. Exposed coastal specimens stay much shorter and broader with a characteristic wind-sculpted form.

Is Moonah salt tolerant?

Yes. It is among the most salt and wind tolerant trees available in southern Australia and is a standard choice for front-line coastal and dune planting.

When does Melaleuca lanceolata flower?

Masses of creamy-white bottlebrush flowers appear through spring, attracting bees, native pollinators and small insect-feeding birds.

Is Moonah an Australian native?

Yes. It is native to coastal and semi-arid southern Australia, and remnant Moonah woodland is a recognised vegetation community in parts of Victoria.

Is Melaleuca lanceolata frost hardy?

Yes. It is frost hardy and survives heavy and frequent frost without damage, and also tolerates extended drought and limestone soils.

How fast does the Moonah grow?

It grows at a moderate 30 to 60 centimetres per year. Growth is slower in exposed coastal sites, which is what produces the gnarled sculptural form.

How far apart should I plant Moonah for a windbreak?

Plant 2 to 3 metres apart for a dense coastal windbreak, or 4 to 6 metres apart as individual feature trees where the trunk character can develop.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Screening or Privacy
Avenue Planting
Rural Property Planting
Council or Civic Landscapes
Feature Tree

Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) works in an:

Australian Native Garden – celebrates local plants with natural character.
Coastal Garden – relaxed, seaside feel with hardy, textural plants.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) Evergreen or Deciduous?

Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 5m to 12m (approx.)

Mature Width: 3m to 6m

Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm (moderate) per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree)

Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm (moderate) per year (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree)

Is Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) frost tolerant?

Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) Flower?

Melaleuca lanceolata produces masses of creamy-white, bottlebrush-style flowers from late spring through summer. These soft, fluffy blooms form along the stems in dense clusters, standing out beautifully against the dark, fine-textured foliage and providing a gentle, airy seasonal display.

Does Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Fluffy

Flower Colour:

White

Is Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) an Australian Native Tree?

Yes

Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) is Native to Native to southern Australia, including coastal regions of Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia, where it grows in sandy soils and windswept sites.

What is the Wildlife Value of Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) ?

Its nectar-rich flowers attract honeyeaters, native bees, butterflies and beetles, while the dense, twisting canopy offers superb shelter and nesting habitat for small birds. The rough bark and branching structure also support insects and microfauna, making Moonah one of the best species for enhancing biodiversity in coastal and native garden designs.

How much Sunlight does Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) need?

Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Melaleuca lanceolata performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It is highly adaptable to coastal and poorer soils but may struggle in heavy clay or waterlogged areas unless improved with coarse sand and organic matter to increase drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, infrequent watering as the tree matures to support its drought resilience, dense canopy and reliable flowering.

Is Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) Drought Tolerant?

Is Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) Drought tolerant?

As a young plant it requires regular watering, but once established the Moonah Tree develops excellent drought tolerance. Exceptionally hardy, it thrives in coastal, dry, windy and salt-exposed conditions and maintains strong evergreen growth with minimal supplementary watering.

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How To Plant Your Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree)

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree)

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm (moderate) per year (approx.).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree)

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape if used as hedging or screening. For a clear trunk feature, remove lower branches as the tree grows.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release native blend in early spring and again in autumn. Avoid high-phosphorus formulations as a precaution.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) in Different Soil

Melaleuca lanceolata performs best in well-drained sandy loam or loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is the Moonah Tree suitable for coastal gardens?
Yes, Melaleuca lanceolata is an excellent choice for coastal gardens due to its salt tolerance and ability to withstand coastal conditions.
Do Moonah Trees require special care for salt tolerance?
While they are naturally salt-tolerant, providing regular watering and mulching can help maintain their health in coastal environments.
Can Moonah Trees be used for habitat restoration projects?
Yes, they are valuable for habitat restoration, as they provide food and shelter for local wildlife, contributing to ecosystem restoration efforts.