Flame Bottle Tree
Brachychiton acerifolius
The flame bottle tree, or Illawarra flame tree, is an Australian tree that blazes with masses of scarlet bell-shaped flowers on bare branches in early summer. It belongs to the bottle tree family, with a stout trunk and maple-like leaves.
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
Flame bottle tree, Brachychiton acerifolius, is one of Australia's most spectacular flowering trees, producing a blaze of bright red, bell-shaped flowers, often after dropping its leaves so the whole canopy glows scarlet.
It belongs to the bottle tree genus Brachychiton, and is more commonly known as the Illawarra flame tree (the two names refer to the same species). The trunk can become somewhat swollen and bottle-like with age.
Flowering is famously erratic, varying year to year and even branch to branch, but a tree in full flame is unforgettable.
How to identify it
- Flowers: clusters of waxy, bright scarlet-red, bell-shaped flowers in late spring to summer, often on leafless branches
- Leaves: glossy green, large and variable, often deeply lobed and maple-like (hence acerifolius, meaning maple-leaved)
- Fruit: dark, boat-shaped woody pods (follicles) containing yellow hairs around the seeds
- Trunk: smooth green-grey bark, becoming thickened toward the base with age
- Size: can reach 30-40 ft or more in cultivation, taller in the wild
Care & growing
Light: full sun for the best flowering.
Water: moderate water while young; established trees are drought-tolerant and may flower more reliably after a dry, stressful period.
Soil: deep, well-drained soil; tolerates a range but resents waterlogging.
Temperature: subtropical to warm temperate (USDA zones 9-11); tolerates light frost when established.
Feeding: light feeding of young trees; established trees need little.
Propagation: from seed or grafting of selected forms.
Note: flowering is unpredictable and may skip years.
Habitat & origin
Brachychiton acerifolius is native to the subtropical and warm-temperate rainforests of eastern Australia, from New South Wales to Queensland, including the Illawarra region for which it is named.
It is widely planted as an ornamental street and park tree in Australia and other warm regions worldwide, and is grafted to encourage more dependable flowering.
Frequently asked questions
Is the flame bottle tree the same as the Illawarra flame tree?
Yes, both names refer to Brachychiton acerifolius. 'Flame bottle tree' links it to its bottle-tree relatives, while 'Illawarra flame tree' is the common Australian name.
Why doesn't my flame tree flower every year?
Flowering is naturally erratic in this species, sometimes skipping years or blooming on only part of the canopy. Dry stress and maturity tend to improve flowering; grafted trees are more reliable.
How long until it flowers?
Seed-grown trees can take 5-8 years or more to bloom; grafted plants often flower younger and more dependably.
Why is it called a bottle tree?
It belongs to the genus Brachychiton, the bottle trees, named for trunks that can thicken and swell toward the base with age.
Flame Bottle Tree guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Flame Bottle Tree.
