Does it need fertilizer?

It is sensitive to phosphorus, so use only native plant fertilizers if necessary.

Can I grow it in a pot?

It is best kept in the ground, but young plants can survive in large containers for a few years.

Plant guide

Coast Banksia.

Banksia integrifolia

Pronounced BANK-see-uh in-teg-ri-FOH-lee-uh

Also known as White-honeysuckle, coast banksia, honeysuckle-oak, white banksia, white bottlebrush

Coastal Banksia — Photo by Greg Tasney (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

The Coast Banksia is a hardy, iconic Australian tree that handles salt spray and coastal winds with ease. It features lovely yellow flowers that provide a great food source for local birds. You will find it is a fantastic choice for adding a touch of native beauty to your garden.

Another photo of Coast Banksia — Photo by Jon Sullivan (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Evergreen tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 15 meters
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Throughout the year, peaking in autumn and winter.

Care

Plant this tree in a spot with plenty of sun and well draining soil. Keep an eye out for yellowing leaves, which might suggest the soil is too alkaline or lacks proper drainage. It is quite tough once established and does not need much fuss.

Watering: Water deeply while young, but let the soil dry out between sessions once the tree is mature.
Feeding: Use a low phosphorus native plant fertilizer to avoid damaging the roots.
Pruning: Lightly trim after flowering to keep the shape tidy and encourage denser growth.
Repotting: Repot young plants when they become root bound, though they prefer being in the ground.
Soil: Sandy or well drained loam
Soil pH: 5.5 to 7.0
Temperature: -5 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Long lived, often 50 plus years.
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: High

Safety

People: There is no known toxicity to humans.
Children: The woody seed cones are hard and can be a choking hazard if left on the ground.
Contact allergens: The foliage can be slightly abrasive to sensitive skin.
Airborne allergens: The pollen may cause mild reactions in sensitive individuals.
Edibility: The flowers contain nectar that is safe to consume, but the plant itself is not considered a food source.

How to identify it

Large, cylindrical yellow flower spikes
Leathery, dark green leaves
Silvery white undersides on leaves
Woody, cone like seed follicles
Rough, greyish bark

Height: 5 to 15m
Spread: 3 to 8m
Leaves: dark green, silvery white, evergreen
Flowers: pale yellow, 5 to 15cm
Fruit: brown, Year round

Problems to watch for

Phytophthora root rot · A soil borne water mold that causes root decay in poorly drained soils.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Keep the soil well drained during wet winters to prevent root rot. No special protection is needed in its preferred climate zones.
In containers: It is not well suited for long term container growth due to its large size and deep root system.

Group this tree with other coastal plants that tolerate salt spray and sandy conditions.

Grows well with

Coastal Rosemary · They share similar requirements for sun and well drained soil.
Grevillea · Both are Australian natives that attract similar pollinators.

Similar species

Saw Banksia · It has similar flower spikes but features serrated leaf edges.

Science

Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Banksia
Order: Proteales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Eastern coast of Australia.
Conservation: This species is common and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in sandy coastal soils where it acts as a primary stabilizer against erosion.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, habitat for birds
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, birds
Uses: coastal windbreak, ornamental tree, honey production

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 7/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 4/9
Nutrients: 2/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need fertilizer?: It is sensitive to phosphorus, so use only native plant fertilizers if necessary.
Can I grow it in a pot?: It is best kept in the ground, but young plants can survive in large containers for a few years.

Where the name comes from

The genus honors Sir Joseph Banks, who collected the first specimens in 1770, while the species name refers to its smooth leaf edges.

Good to know

It is commonly known as the Coast Banksia.
The scientific name integrifolia means entire leaved.
It can tolerate salt spray better than most other trees.
Indigenous Australians used the nectar as a sweet drink.

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This guide was generated with AI on November 8, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.