Family: Myrtaceae

Geraldton wax is a shrub with an upright crown. Safe to grow under utilities, it shouldn’t reach more than 8 feet in height. Planted in a row, they make a lovely informal hedge. Dense, narrow leaves occupy the stems; they are aromatic when crushed. It blooms throughout most of the year, and pollinators often visit the flowers. 

When cut, flowers are long-lasting. The whole plant (leaves and flowers) is an excellent filler in flower arrangements.  They are suitable as a potted plant. 

Endemic to Western Australia, Geraldton Wax is a popular horticulture plant for both Mediterrane and humid climates. It will grow at most elevations in Hawaii. It is moderately wind tolerant and grows well in the shade. Water well after planting; after that, it is drought tolerant. 

Germination is by seed and cuttings.

Plant Uses:

• Container plant
• Cut flower
• Fragrant
• Hedge
• Lei flower
• Ornamental
• Privacy / screening

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers

High Risk Traits:

• Native to Australia, a region with climates similar to Hawaiʻi
  
• Tolerant of drought and poor, sandy soils
  
• Fast-growing shrub under favorable conditions
  
• Produces abundant flowers and seeds
  
• Widely cultivated and frequently moved through the horticultural trade
  
• Can persist without intensive care once established
  
• Potential to escape cultivation in suitable habitats

Low Risk Traits:

• Not currently known to be naturalized in Hawaiʻi
  
• Generally short-lived compared to invasive woody plants
  
• Lacks specialized dispersal mechanisms (e.g., wind- or bird-adapted seeds)
  
• Typically grown in managed landscapes or as a cut-flower crop
  
• No documented history of severe invasiveness globally
  
• May require specific soil drainage conditions for optimal growth