The Banksia: Everything you need to know

Whether you have your own banksia plant in your backyard.

Seen one featured in a dried native arrangement online.

Or even have a friend or neighbour with a beautiful tree filled with them...

Banksias truly are spectacular!

My parents-in-law have a few Banksia trees planted at their home in Warrandyte, here in Melbourne.

We always stop to admire their beauty… and pick a few to add to our arrangements.

Banksias are part of the Proteaceae family and have over 170 different species. Our favourites that you will find in our most popular arrangements are the Banksia hookeriana.

We love these banksias as they look the exact same whether they are fresh or dried!

Banksia - in particular dried banksia are our favourite native flowers to use in our dried flower arrangements.

It’s like having a little piece of our own backyard in hundreds of homes across Australia.

You can buy dried banksias in bunches of 3 stems from our dried flower bar.

Where are Banksias native to?

Out of the 173 Banksia species, all but one of them occur naturally only here in Australia - how special is that!

The Banksia was named after Sir Joseph Banks who, in 1770, was the first European to collect specimens of these plants.

South of Western Australia contains the most incredible variety with over 60 species of banksia recorded. They also make up a large part of flora along the eastern coast of Australia.

Are Banksias easy to grow?

Banksias are easy to grow here in Australia if planted in full sunlight and well-drained soil. If this is unachievable in your conditions, they can be produced in plant pots.

How Long Does it Take to Grow Banksia’s?

Whilst Banksias are relatively easy to grow, they are slow-growing plants. Taking 2-3 years to flower when planted from seed and 5-6 years before they achieve their full height.

How to Grow Banksias

Find a spot in your garden that gets full sunlight during the day. Ensure that the soil is well drained - if the soil condition isn’t quite right, we suggest planting them in pots instead.

Water your banksia plant regularly (once or twice a week) for the first year until the plant has been established.

How to Dry Banksia

Drying banksias are very easy. Cut the banksias at your desired length - we usually keep them around 25-30cm long. Then, either place it in an empty vase or hang it upside down in a cool, dark room with good circulation.

How Long Do Dried Banksias Last?

When kept out of direct sunlight, water and humidity - dried banksias can last up to 6 years.

We love using dried banksias in our dried flower arrangements