5 Seeds Australian Bottle Tree Brachychiton populneus Hardy Drought Tolerant Tree

Brachychiton populneus, commonly called the Australian Bottle Tree, is a distinctive evergreen tree native to Australia, prized for its swollen trunk base and glossy foliage. It develops a broad, rounded canopy of bright green leaves and produces small bell-shaped flowers, making it a striking ornamental for warm-climate landscapes.

This tree suits ornamental plantings, shade gardens, and dry-climate landscape designs where a bold architectural form is desired. It grows steadily into a tall, statuesque specimen and adapts well to containers when young. Seed-grown plants show natural variation in trunk shape and leaf form, adding interest for collectors and growers.

Species: Brachychiton populneus

Type: Evergreen tree

Plant_Habit: Upright, rounded canopy with enlarged trunk base

Sun: Full sun

Soil: Well-drained, sandy or loamy

Zones: 9 to 11

Germination: Soak seed in warm water before sowing; germinates in 2 to 6 weeks at 21 to 27 degrees Celsius

Sowing: Surface sow and press lightly into soil, barely covering

Spacing: 4 to 8 metres between trees

Notes: Drought tolerant once established; protect young seedlings from frost