Crimson bottlebrush

Melaleuca citrina

Family: Myrtaceae

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to peoplePets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

n/a

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

NC State's Plant Toolbox has no human-poison record, and no other source states one. This is not proof the plant is safe to eat.

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

ASPCA lists "Bottlebrush" (Callistemon species; also called weeping, prickly and crimson bottlebrush) as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. ASPCA warns not to confuse it with Aesculus parviflora, the bottlebrush buckeye, which is toxic. ASPCA is the only source we found, and one source is not enough to call a plant safe for pets, so it is not assessed as safe. Keep pets from eating it.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Other plants with a similar name or look. To tell them apart: Match on the scientific name, Melaleuca citrina, not on the common name.. Bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) is also called "bottlebrush" and is toxic (ASPCA). ASPCA warns not to confuse it with bottlebrush (Callistemon). Check by scientific name, not common name.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 8b-11b per NC State Plant Toolbox (the page text says hardy to about 20-25 F, zones 9-10, with winter protection in zone 8)
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sun) per NC State.
Water needs: moderate
Mature size: 10-15 ft tall and wide in its native habitat; commonly kept at 3-5 ft tall and 2-3 ft wide as a garden shrub per NC State
Where it comes from: Eastern and southeastern Australia (NC State).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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