Pandanus tectorius - Evergreen Trees Direct

Pandanus tectorius

$6,660.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 300L

300L 500L 750L

Current Stock Height Guides

300L: Enquire within for height guide information.
500L: 2.6m – 4m Approx.
750L: 3m – 4.5m Approx.

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: 6m to 10m

Mature Width: 4m to 6m

Pandanus tectorius is expected to grow 0.5m to 1m per year.

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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Contact

Have a question or a list to send through to us?

Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Pandanus tectorius

Pandanus tectorius, the screwpine, is a broad architectural tree with long strap-like leaves arranged in spirals at the ends of thick forked branches. Stilt-like prop roots grow down from the trunk and hold the plant steady in loose sand. It occurs naturally along tropical Australian coastlines and through the Pacific.

It grows 5 to 8 metres tall and 3 to 5 metres wide at roughly 30 to 60 centimetres a year. Full sun to part shade, sandy or poor free-draining soil and salt-laden wind are all fine. It is frost sensitive, so keep it to frost-free tropical, subtropical and warm coastal positions.

This is a plant for beachfront gardens, pool surrounds, resort landscapes and civic coastal projects, planted singly for drama or grouped 3 to 4 metres apart for a wall of texture. Yellow flower spikes appear in spring and summer, with ornamental fruit in the tropics. It asks for little once settled.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Screwpine

What is Pandanus tectorius?

The screwpine is a broad, branching evergreen tree with long strap-shaped leaves set in spirals at the branch tips, and thick prop roots that brace the trunk. It is not a palm, despite the look of it. The species occurs naturally on tropical Australian coasts and across the Pacific islands.

How big does a Pandanus tectorius grow?

Expect 5 to 8 metres tall and 3 to 5 metres wide at maturity, with growth of about 30 to 60 centimetres a year. The form is broad and open, built from a few heavy forked branches rather than a dense canopy, so allow room for the spread and for the prop roots at the base.

Is it frost tolerant?

No. Pandanus tectorius is frost sensitive and will be damaged or killed by frost, so it should not be planted in frost-prone areas. It belongs in tropical, subtropical and warm coastal positions. In marginal districts it can succeed in a sheltered north-facing spot near the coast, but inland frost hollows will not work.

Is it suitable for coastal positions?

It is one of the best trees for exposed coastal planting. It tolerates salt-laden wind, sand and poor, sharply drained soil, and the prop roots hold it steady in loose ground. It is regularly specified for beachfront reserves, dune edges and resort landscapes where few other trees of this size will stand up.

Is it an Australian native?

Yes. Pandanus tectorius occurs naturally along tropical and subtropical coastlines in Queensland, the Northern Territory and northern New South Wales, as well as through the Pacific islands. It is a familiar part of the northern beach landscape, which is why it sits so naturally in coastal planting schemes.

How fast does it grow?

Moderate, around 30 to 60 centimetres a year in warm conditions with adequate water. Growth slows noticeably in cooler districts and through the cooler months. Planting an advanced specimen is the usual way to get immediate presence, since the architectural character comes from the branching and prop roots, which take years to develop.

How do I care for a screwpine?

Plant in full sun to part shade in free-draining soil and water regularly through the first year while the roots take hold. After that it needs very little. Remove spent lower leaves if you want a tidier trunk, and leave the prop roots alone, as they are structural. Avoid heavy, wet clay.

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

Feature Tree

Pandanus tectorius works in an:

Tropical Garden – lush, leafy planting for a resort-style atmosphere.
Coastal Garden – relaxed, seaside feel with hardy, textural plants.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Contemporary / Architectural Garden – striking forms for bold design statements.

Is Pandanus tectorius Evergreen or Deciduous?

Pandanus tectorius is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 6m to 10m

Mature Width: 4m to 6m

Pandanus tectorius is expected to grow 0.5m to 1m per year.

Growth Rate of Pandanus tectorius

Pandanus tectorius is expected to grow 0.5m to 1m per year.

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Pandanus tectorius

Is Pandanus tectorius frost tolerant?

Pandanus tectorius is Not Frost Tolerant – Cannot survive frost, should be avoided in frost-prone areas.

Does Pandanus tectorius Flower?

Pandanus tectorius produces highly fragrant, creamy-white to pale yellow flowers from late spring through summer. The pendent male flower clusters are particularly aromatic, while the globular female blooms develop into large, segmented orange fruit, giving a distinctive tropical seasonal display.

Does Pandanus tectorius flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring
Summer

Flower Type:

Fragrant
Pollinator-attracting

Flower Colour:

Yellow

Is Pandanus tectorius an Australian Native Tree?

Yes

Pandanus tectorius is Native to Native to coastal northern Australia, Southeast Asia, and Pacific Islands.

What is the Wildlife Value of Pandanus tectorius ?

Its nectar-rich flowers attract bees, moths and pollinating insects, while the large segmented fruits provide food for native birds, crabs and coastal wildlife. The dense, spiralled canopy also offers shelter and nesting opportunities, making it a valuable species for biodiversity in tropical and coastal gardens.

How much Sunlight does Pandanus tectorius need?

Pandanus tectorius will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Pandanus tectorius performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. Exceptionally tolerant of salt spray and poor coastal soils, it may struggle in heavy clay or waterlogged ground unless improved with coarse sand and organic matter to boost drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then shift to deep, infrequent watering as the plant matures to support drought resilience, sturdy root formation and reliable seasonal flowering and fruiting.

Is Pandanus tectorius Drought Tolerant?

Is Pandanus tectorius Drought tolerant?

As a young plant it requires regular watering, but once established Pandanus tectorius develops excellent drought tolerance. Naturally adapted to hot, dry, coastal and salt-laden environments, it maintains strong structural growth and healthy foliage with only occasional deep watering during extended dry periods.

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How To Plant Your Pandanus tectorius

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 Pandanus tectorius

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.

Pandanus tectorius is expected to grow 0.5m to 1m per year.

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Pandanus tectorius

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, keep the root zone consistently moist with weekly deep watering and additional water during hot dry spells.

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, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

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

Planting Your Pandanus tectorius in Different Soil

Pandanus tectorius performs best in rich, well-drained loam with a slightly acidic pH and consistent moisture. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage and organic matter are managed well.

Sandy soil: Free-draining but enrich heavily with compost and mulch deeply to hold moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost, and mound slightly to lift the root zone.

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

pH: Slightly acidic preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter or pine bark to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Pandanus tectorius frost tolerant?
A: No. It is frost-sensitive and should only be grown in frost-free climates such as QLD, coastal NSW, and the NT.

Q: Does it require pruning?
A: Not regularly. Only remove lower leaves or branches to maintain form or access around the trunk.

Q: Is it safe to plant near paving?
A: Avoid planting close to paving or structures — the prop roots can lift surfaces over time.

Q: Will it grow in coastal sand dunes?
A: Yes — it thrives in coastal exposure, especially in sandy, free-draining soils.