Best Lilly Pilly Varieties
Compare popular lilly pilly varieties for Australian gardens. Learn about height, growth rate, psyllid resistance, and best uses to choose the right variety for your space.
Quick take
- • Syzygium australe: most popular for hedges
- • Dwarf forms available for small spaces
- • AU scene: If you're on clay soil, focus on drainage and avoid 'wet feet'—mulch helps, but drainage matters more
- • Check psyllid resistance for your area
- • Riberry for edible fruit
Quick Answer: Match Variety to Goal
For most Australian hedges, Syzygium australe varieties offer reliable performance. For small spaces, choose dwarf forms. For fast screening, Weeping Lilly Pilly grows quickly but requires more pruning. For edible fruit, Riberry (Syzygium luehmannii) is a top choice.
What to do: Identify your primary goal (hedge, screen, fruit, or compact size), then check local availability and psyllid resistance for your area.
Popular Varieties Overview
| Variety | Mature Height | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Syzygium australe | 3–5m | Hedges, screening |
| Syzygium australe dwarf forms | 0.5–1m | Small gardens, pots |
| Syzygium luehmannii (Riberry) | 5–10m | Edible fruit, screening |
| Waterhousea floribunda | 5–15m | Fast screening |
| Acmena smithii | 3–6m | Hedges, coastal areas |
Find Your Match
Match your gardening goal to the right lilly pilly approach or variety.
| Your Goal | Recommended Approach/Variety | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Formal hedge (1–2m) | Syzygium australe varieties | Acmena smithii |
| Small courtyard/pots | Dwarf Syzygium australe (Tiny Trev, Sublime) | Acmena smithii minor |
| Fast screening | Waterhousea floribunda | Tall Syzygium australe |
| Edible fruit | Syzygium luehmannii (Riberry) | Syzygium australe |
| Coastal garden | Acmena smithii | Syzygium australe (with protection) |
| Low maintenance | Dwarf or slower-growing varieties | Informal screening styles |
Not sure? Try the full Lilly Pilly Selector tool →
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common lilly pilly questions
Syzygium australe varieties are widely recommended for hedges due to their dense growth and availability. They respond well to pruning and maintain good colour.