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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Melaleuca thymifolia is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

M. coronata.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiseptic

An essential oil obtained from the fresh leaves and twigs is antiseptic[156].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Essential

An essential oil obtained from the leaves is comparable to the better Eucalyptus oils[156].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a fertile, well-drained moisture retentive lime-free soil in full sun[182]. Prefers a soil that does not contain much nitrogen[188]. Plants in Australian gardens succeed in a sunny position in most soils so long as they are moist[157]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, though it should succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country. Plants tolerate temperatures down to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[157] but this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer, colder and wetter winters. One report says that it can tolerate occasional lows to about -5°c[260]. Seed takes about 12 months to develop on the plant, the woody seed capsules persist for 3 or more years[200]. Any pruning is best done after the plants have flowered with the intention of maintaining a compact habit[200]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - surface sow in spring or autumn onto a pot of permanently moist soil in a warm greenhouse. Emmerse in 5cm of water and do not water from overhead. Grow on until the seedlings are 0.5cm tall then remove from the water and pot up a week later. Seedlings are liable to damp off when grown this way, sowing the seed thinly, good ventilation and hygiene are essential for success[200]. Grow the plants on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse and then plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving the plants some protection from the cold for their first few winters outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe lateral shoots with a heel, July/August in a frame[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Melaleuca alternifolia	Tea Tree	Shrub	6.0	8-11		LMH	N	M	0	5	3
Melaleuca bracteata	River teatree	Shrub	6.0	0-0		LMH	N	M	0	2	3
Melaleuca hypericifolia	Tea Tree	Shrub	3.0	8-11		LMH	SN	M	0	2	3
Melaleuca leucadendra	Paperbark, Weeping Paperbark	Tree	30.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	M	2	4	3
Melaleuca linariifolia	Flax-Leaved Paper-Bark, Cajeput tree	Shrub	10.0	8-11		LMH	N	M	0	3	2
Melaleuca uncinata	Broom honeymyrtle	Shrub	2.0	0-0		LMH	N	DM	0	1	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Melaleuca thymifolia - Sm.