Queensland Bottle Tree

Common Names: Queensland Bottle Tree, Narrow-leaved Bottle Tree, Kurrajong

Pickup only.

Queensland Bottle Tree is an iconic Australian native that thrives in Perth's sunny climate and well-draining soils.

Famous for its swollen trunk that naturally stores water, this tree brings a striking architectural feature and incredible drought resistance to any garden landscape or large pot setup.

Features:

Ideal prune height range: 3-6m (Easily size-managed in garden beds or containers)

pH growing conditions: 5.5 to 7.5

Shade or full sun: Prefers full sun

Minimum pot year 5: 60L pot

Time to fruit age: 5-8 years (For trunk swelling and pod maturity)

Brachychiton rupestris handles light frosts down to about -3°C to -5°C once established. Young plants are a bit touchy, so keep small ones sheltered from hard frost until they develop a thicker stem.

They handle light to medium clay pretty well, provided it drains. Heavy, waterlogged clay that holds stagnant water in winter will cause root rot. If planting in heavy clay, plant on a raised mound or build up the soil with organic matter to keep the root ball clear of standing water.

Queensland Bottle Trees are extremely tough, slow-growing, and low-maintenance once established. They handle intense heat and dry spells effortlessly by relying on their stored trunk reserves. They feature narrow glossy leaves and small bell-shaped flowers, making them a top choice for waterwise and resilient Western Australian gardens.

Interesting Notes:

The iconic swollen trunk works as a living water tank, expanding or shrinking depending on water availability. Historically, Indigenous Australians utilized the water-rich inner bark, roots, and roasted seeds.

Roasting Seeds

To roast Queensland Bottle Tree seeds (10-15mm):

Remove seeds from the woody pods (wear gloves to avoid irritating hairs).

Clean off any residual husk or resin.

Roast in an oven at 180°C for 10-15 minutes until light brown and fragrant.

Let them cool. They offer a warm, nutty flavour similar to roasted chestnuts or macadamias.

It makes a sensational focal point for native gardens, large outdoor pots, or unique specimen collections.

Limited stock. Pickup from Parkwood, WA. Delivery to Perth Metro only.

Keywords: Queensland bottle tree, Brachychiton rupestris, native feature tree Perth, drought tolerant tree, Australian native plant Perth