Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) - Evergreen Trees Direct

Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree)

Name: Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree)
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
Price: 620.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$620.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

990 in stock

Title: 100L

100L 70L 40cm/45L

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.

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 Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree)

Melaleuca lanceolata, known as the Moonah Tree, is a distinctive evergreen tree or large shrub native to coastal Australia. Growing 4–10 meters tall and 3–6 meters wide, it forms a dense, bushy canopy with narrow, aromatic lance-shaped leaves.

The Moonah features flaky, papery bark that peels in layers and produces abundant clusters of white, cream, or pale pink bottlebrush-like flowers that attract bees and nectar-feeding birds. Thriving in full sun to partial shade, it is ideal for coastal landscapes, windbreaks, and screening.

Low maintenance and drought-tolerant once established, Melaleuca lanceolata is a resilient, attractive choice for gardens and habitat restoration in variable coastal conditions.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

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

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 5m - 12m Approximately

Mature Width: 3 – 6 metres

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

Frost Tolerance

Is Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) frost tolerant?

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

Flowering Information

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.

Native Information

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

Wildlife Value

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.

Sunlight Information

Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preffered 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.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Moonah Tree

Genus: Melaleuca

Botanical Species: lanceolata

Family: Myrtaceae

Botanical Name: Melaleuca lanceolata

Landscape Uses

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.

Planting, Spacing & Care

How to Plant:

Choose a location with well-draining soil and exposure to full sun or partial shade.
Dig a hole that is the same depth as the root ball and at least twice as wide.
Place the tree in the hole at the correct depth.
Backfill with soil, water thoroughly, and add mulch to conserve soil moisture.

Hedging & Screening: Plant 2 m – 3 m apart for coastal screening.

Feature Tree: Plant 4 m – 6 m apart for sculptural effect.

Avenue Planting Trees: Plant 5 m – 7 m apart.

Caring for Melaleuca lanceolata:

Prune sparingly to maintain the desired shape and remove dead or diseased branches.
Provide regular watering, especially during dry spells, to ensure healthy growth.
Appreciate the unique bark texture, aromatic leaves, and abundant bottlebrush-like flowers that attract pollinators.

How to Grow in Different Soil Types

Melaleuca lanceolata is highly adaptable and thrives in various soil types, making it an excellent choice for tough conditions:

Sandy Soil: Well-suited to coastal and arid regions, but occasional mulching helps retain moisture.

Clay Soil: Can become compacted, so adding organic matter improves drainage.

Loamy Soil: Ideal for optimal growth, providing a good balance of nutrients and moisture.

Saline or Coastal Soil: Highly tolerant of salt spray and poor-quality soils near beaches.

Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) is expected to grow Approx 30 – 60 cm (moderate) 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 Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Drought Tolerance

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.

Flowering Information

Does Melaleuca lanceolata (Moonah Tree) flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Fluffy

Flower Colour:

White

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.