Does it need a lot of water?

No, it prefers well drained, sandy soil and is quite drought tolerant once established.

Can I grow it in a pot?

It is difficult to maintain in a container long term due to its large size and specific soil needs.

Plant guide

Silver tree.

Leucadendron argenteum

Pronounced loo-kah-DEN-dron ar-JEN-tee-um

Also known as Cape Silver Tree, Cape silvertree, Silver Conetree, Silver Pine Tree, Silver Tree, Silvercone, Silvery Protea, silvertree

Leucadendron argenteum — Photo by Ian Webb (CC BY) via gbif

The Silver tree is a striking evergreen known for its beautiful, silvery, hair-covered leaves. It is native to the slopes of Table Mountain in South Africa. This plant makes a bold statement in a garden but can be a bit picky about its environment.

At a glance

Care level: Difficult
Plant type: Evergreen tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 5 to 7 meters
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring

Care

This plant needs excellent drainage and plenty of airflow to stay healthy. Keep an eye out for root rot, which often shows up as wilting or discolored foliage. It prefers a Mediterranean climate and struggles in high humidity.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out significantly between waterings to prevent root issues.
Feeding: Use a low-phosphorus fertilizer sparingly as this plant is sensitive to nutrients.
Pruning: Lightly prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage dense growth.
Repotting: Repot only when necessary, as this plant dislikes root disturbance.
Soil: Sandy, acidic, well-draining soil
Soil pH: Acidic
Temperature: -2 to 35°C
Humidity: 30 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 20 to 50 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Stunted growth despite proper care.
Soil becoming compacted and failing to drain.

Safety

People: There is no evidence of significant human toxicity.
Children: The stiff, pointed leaves can be sharp, so keep this plant away from areas where children play.
Contact allergens: The fine hairs on the leaves can cause mechanical skin irritation if handled frequently.
Airborne allergens: The pollen may cause mild respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals during the flowering season.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for human consumption.

How to identify it

Silvery, lance-shaped leaves
Leaves covered in fine, silky hairs
Stiff, woody stems
Distinctive cone-like flower heads

Height: 5 to 7m
Spread: 2 to 4m
Leaves: silver, grey, evergreen
Flowers: yellow, 3 to 5cm
Fruit: brown, Late summer

Problems to watch for

PhytophthoraCommon
Root RotCommon
DehydrationUncommon
Leaf ScorchUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Protect from hard frosts and ensure the soil remains very dry during the winter months to prevent root rot.
In containers: It is not well suited for containers due to its deep taproot and need for specific soil conditions.

Seed

Collect seeds from mature cones in late summer.
Sow in a well drained, sandy medium.
Provide smoke treatment to mimic natural fire conditions for better germination.

Cuttings

Take semi hardwood cuttings in late summer.
Dip in rooting hormone.
Place in a sterile, well drained propagation mix.

Group with other fynbos plants that require minimal fertilization and excellent drainage.

Grows well with

Protea · They share similar requirements for acidic, well drained soil.
Erica · These plants thrive in the same nutrient poor, fynbos conditions.

Similar species

Conebush · It is a smaller, more manageable relative with similar foliage habits.

Science

Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Leucadendron
Order: Proteales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: South Africa, specifically the Cape Peninsula.
Conservation: This species is classified as endangered in its native South African habitat due to urban development and invasive species.

It is a fire adapted species that relies on fire to clear competing vegetation and trigger seed release.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, beetles
Uses: ornamental specimen, cut foliage, windbreak

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 3/9
Soil reaction: 4/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 1/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a lot of water?: No, it prefers well drained, sandy soil and is quite drought tolerant once established.
Can I grow it in a pot?: It is difficult to maintain in a container long term due to its large size and specific soil needs.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Leucadendron comes from the Greek words for white and tree, while the species name argenteum means silvery.

Good to know

It is commonly known as the Silver Tree.
The leaves were historically used by early settlers to create paintings.
It is a member of the Proteaceae family.
It is endemic to a very small area on the slopes of Table Mountain.
The silvery sheen is caused by dense, reflective hairs.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.