Illawarra Flame Tree
Brachychiton acerifolius
The Illawarra flame tree is a striking Australian native that sheds its leaves and covers itself in masses of brilliant scarlet bell-shaped flowers in early summer. It is one of Australia's most spectacular flowering trees.
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
- Difficulty
- Easy
Got a plant like this?
Identify any plant from a photo, free.
Overview
The Illawarra flame tree, Brachychiton acerifolius, is renowned for its dazzling display of bright red, bell-shaped flowers that smother the canopy, often appearing on bare branches after the tree drops its leaves.
It is the same species as the "flame bottle tree" and belongs to the kurrajong/bottle-tree genus Brachychiton. The species name acerifolius ("maple-leaved") refers to its glossy, often deeply lobed foliage.
Named for the Illawarra region of New South Wales, it is a treasured ornamental whose flowering, though unpredictable from year to year, is unforgettable when it occurs.
How to identify it
- Flowers: dense clusters of small, waxy, scarlet-red, bell-shaped flowers in late spring and early summer, often on leafless branches
- Leaves: glossy green, large and variable, frequently deeply lobed like a maple leaf
- Fruit: dark, leathery, boat-shaped pods (follicles) lined with irritant hairs around the seeds
- Trunk: smooth greenish-grey bark, thickening toward the base with age
- Size: commonly 30-40 ft in cultivation, taller in native rainforest
Care & growing
Light: full sun gives the best flowering.
Water: water young trees regularly; established trees are drought-tolerant and may flower better after a dry spell.
Soil: deep, well-drained soil; avoid waterlogging.
Temperature: subtropical to warm temperate (USDA zones 9-11); tolerates light frost once established.
Feeding: light feeding when young.
Propagation: from seed (wear gloves, as the pod hairs irritate skin) or grafting for more reliable flowering.
Note: flowering is famously erratic and may skip seasons or affect only part of the tree.
Habitat & origin
Brachychiton acerifolius is native to the subtropical and warm-temperate rainforests of eastern Australia, from New South Wales (including the Illawarra district) up into Queensland.
It is widely planted as an ornamental street and park tree in Australia and other warm climates around the world.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same tree as the flame bottle tree?
Yes. Illawarra flame tree and flame bottle tree are both common names for Brachychiton acerifolius.
Why did my tree lose its leaves before flowering?
This is normal. The Illawarra flame tree often drops its foliage before blooming so the scarlet flowers stand out dramatically on bare branches.
Why is flowering so inconsistent?
The species flowers erratically, sometimes skipping years or blooming on only part of the canopy. Maturity, dry stress and grafted stock improve reliability.
Illawarra Flame Tree guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Illawarra Flame Tree.
