Can I grow this in a pot?

Yes, it grows well in large containers when young, but will eventually need to be planted in the ground.

How often should I water it?

Water regularly until established, then it becomes quite drought tolerant.

Plant guide

Pohutukawa.

Metrosideros excelsa

Pronounced meh-tro-si-DEH-ros ek-SEL-sa

Also known as New Zealand Bottlebrush, New Zealand Christmastree, Pohutukawa, Variegata

Metrosideros excelsa — Photo by Christopher Stephens (CC BY) via gbif

The Pohutukawa is a stunning coastal tree from New Zealand known for its vibrant red flowers. It thrives in seaside environments and is often called the New Zealand Christmas tree. You will love how its gnarled branches and dark green leaves add character to any landscape.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Evergreen tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 15 to 20 meters
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Plant this tree in a sunny spot with well draining soil to keep it happy. Watch for yellowing leaves which often indicate poor drainage or overwatering. It handles salt spray well but needs protection from hard frosts while young.

Watering: Water deeply once the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Lightly prune after flowering to maintain shape and remove any dead wood.
Repotting: Repot only when the roots have filled the container or the tree becomes unstable.
Soil: Sandy or loamy well draining soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acidic
Temperature: -2 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Long lived, often exceeding 100 years in ideal conditions.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface for too long.
The plant becoming top heavy and unstable.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non toxic to humans, though the fine hairs on the leaves can cause minor irritation.
Children: The stiff, leathery leaves and dense branches are not a significant ingestion risk, but the fine leaf hairs may irritate sensitive skin.
Contact allergens: The fine, felt like hairs on the underside of the leaves can cause skin irritation if handled frequently.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can be an irritant for those with severe seasonal allergies.
Edibility: The flowers are not typically consumed and may cause irritation.

How to identify it

Bright crimson brush-like flowers
Dark green leathery oval leaves
Silvery white hairs on leaf undersides
Gnarled and twisted woody trunk
Aerial roots hanging from branches

Height: 6 to 15m
Spread: 5 to 12m
Leaves: dark green, silvery gray, evergreen
Flowers: bright red, 3 to 5cm
Fruit: brown, Late summer

Problems to watch for

Myrtle RustCommon
Scale InsectsCommon
PhytophthoraUncommon
Sooty MoldUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, early autumn
Overwintering: Protect from hard frosts by covering with horticultural fleece if temperatures drop near freezing. Keep the soil relatively dry during the winter months to prevent root rot.
In containers: It grows well in large containers for several years, provided the pot is at least 50 centimeters wide and has excellent drainage.

Semi hardwood cuttings

Take 10 centimeter cuttings in late summer.
Remove lower leaves and dip the base in rooting hormone.
Place in a well draining potting mix.
Keep in a humid environment until roots develop.

Group with other salt tolerant coastal plants to create a windbreak that protects more delicate species behind it.

Grows well with

New Zealand Flax · They share similar coastal environmental requirements and provide a nice textural contrast.
Coastal Rosemary · This shrub thrives in the same salt spray conditions and complements the tree's foliage.

Similar species

Northern Rata · A related species that also features bright red flowers but has a different growth habit.

Science

Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Metrosideros
Order: Myrtales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Coastal regions of New Zealand.
Conservation: It is not currently endangered, but wild populations are managed to prevent habitat loss.

It thrives on coastal cliffs where its aerial roots help it cling to rocky substrates and absorb moisture from sea spray.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, nesting habitat
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Uses: ornamental specimen, coastal windbreak, erosion control

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 8/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 4/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this in a pot?: Yes, it grows well in large containers when young, but will eventually need to be planted in the ground.
How often should I water it?: Water regularly until established, then it becomes quite drought tolerant.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Metrosideros comes from the Greek words for iron and heart, referring to the extremely hard wood, while excelsa means tall or lofty.

Good to know

It is highly salt tolerant, making it perfect for coastal gardens.
The tree produces aerial roots that can absorb moisture directly from the air.
It can grow in very rocky, nutrient poor soil.
The wood is extremely dense and was historically used for ship knees.

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.