How to grow Riberry in Australia
Riberry (Syzygium luehmannii), also called the small-leaved or clove lilly pilly, is a rainforest tree from northern New South Wales and Queensland. It has glossy leaves, pink new growth, and small tart red berries with a hint of clove that ripen in summer. It clips into a dense hedge or grows into a handsome small tree.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Riberry in Australia
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | All year | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | All year | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | All year | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | September to March | Plant Sep to Mar. A common Melbourne lilly pilly hedge that takes light frost once established; protect young plants in frosty outer suburbs. |
| Adelaide & SA | September and October | Plant Sep to Oct after frost. Grows as a small tree or hedge in Adelaide with summer water; shield young plants from hot north winds. |
| Perth & WA | March to May, September and October | Plant in autumn with the first rains, or Sep to Oct. Lilly pillies hedge well in Perth with mulch and deep summer water. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. Subtropical rainforest lillypilly. Hard frost kills it. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Not reliable. Subtropical lilly pilly damaged below minus 5C. Sheltered courtyard pot only. |
| North Queensland | All year | |
| Darwin & Top End | September to March | Plant Sep to Mar so the rains establish it. A rainforest lilly pilly, so it needs regular water through the dry. |
Not to be confused with: Other lilly pillies. Many have edible fruit, but riberry is the one grown commercially as a bush food for its clove flavour. Magenta lilly pilly and Davidson Plum are different native fruits.
Where to plant
Riberry grows naturally in coastal subtropical and littoral rainforest from around Kempsey in New South Wales to north Queensland. In the garden it likes full sun to part shade and a well-drained soil enriched with compost, and it does best with steady moisture. Once established it copes with dry spells, but the fruit drops if the tree goes short of water while the berries are forming.
Wild trees can grow very tall, but in gardens and as a street tree it is usually kept to 5 to 10 m, and it takes clipping well as a hedge or screen.
- South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers, Sydney and North Queensland: an easy, reliable tree. Plant at any time of year with regular water while it settles.
- Darwin: plant in the wet season and water through the dry.
- Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth: grows as a hedge or small tree with summer water and mulch. Plant in spring after frost, and shelter young plants from frost and hot winds.
- Canberra and Hobart: not suited outdoors, as hard frost damages it. A sheltered courtyard pot is the only option in Canberra.
How to plant
- Choose a sunny or lightly shaded spot with room for a small tree, or plan a hedge line.
- Dig in compost and plant at the same depth as the pot.
- Allow about 4 m for a single tree, or plant closer together for a hedge.
- Water in well, mulch over the root area, and keep the soil moist through the first summer.
Watering and feeding
Water regularly while the tree establishes and again from flowering through to harvest, when dry soil makes the fruit drop. A thick mulch keeps the shallow roots cool and moist.
Feed in spring and summer with a native plant fertiliser or compost. Keeping the tree well fed and watered gives the best crops, as it reflects its rainforest origins.
Pruning and care through the year
- Prune or clip after the fruit has been picked. Hard, frequent clipping as a tight hedge removes many of the flowering shoots, so prune more lightly if you want fruit.
- Riberry is reported to resist the pimple psyllid that disfigures many other lilly pillies. If you do see lumpy, distorted new leaves, trim the affected tips.
- Scale can turn up on the stems. Treat light infestations with horticultural oil.
Harvesting
The berries ripen from December to February. Pick them when they turn bright pinkish red and come away with a gentle pull. They are about the size of a sultana and each holds a single seed.
Fresh berries keep about a week in the fridge and freeze well for months.
Growing in pots
Riberry can be kept in a large pot, at least 50 cm wide, with a quality native potting mix if you clip it regularly. Potted plants need regular watering in warm weather.
Using it
Riberries are tart with a clove-like flavour. They are used in jams, sauces, cordials and syrups, in desserts, and with meat. They pair especially well with apple in cooking.
Propagation
Riberry can be grown from fresh seed, but germination is unreliable. Softwood cuttings strike readily and keep the qualities of the parent tree.
Varieties
- Riberry (Small Leaf)
- Riberry (Standard)
Companion planting
Riberry suits a native or bush food garden alongside other rainforest and Australian food plants that like the same moist, well-drained soil.
Good companions
- Finger lime Another rainforest bush food that likes the same moist, sheltered conditions and grows well as an understorey.
- Lemon myrtle A fellow bush food tree for the same climate, with leaves for the kitchen.
- Native plants Native shrubs and groundcovers suit the same soil and bring in pollinators and birds.
Pests and diseases
Riberry is a tough tree with few serious problems. Birds are the main competitor for the fruit.
Pests to watch for
- Birds Fruit stripped as it ripens. Net small trees or hedges in early summer.
- Fruit fly Small maggots in ripe or fallen fruit in fruit fly areas. Pick promptly and bin fallen fruit.
- Scale Small brown or white bumps along stems, often with sooty mould.
Riberry is rarely troubled by disease.
Common questions
Are riberries edible?
Yes. Riberries are a popular bush food with a tart flavour and a hint of clove. They are eaten fresh or made into jam, sauce, cordial and syrup, and go especially well with apple.
When do riberries fruit?
From December to February. The fruit is ripe when it is bright pinkish red and comes away easily.
How big does a riberry tree grow?
In the wild it can grow very tall, but in gardens and streets it is usually kept to 5 to 10 m. It takes pruning well and can be clipped as a hedge.
Does riberry get psyllid?
Riberry is reported to resist the pimple psyllid that causes lumpy, distorted new leaves on many other lilly pillies. If you do see it, trim off the affected tips.
Can I grow riberry in Melbourne?
Yes, as a hedge or small tree with summer water and mulch. It takes light frost once established, so protect young plants in frosty suburbs. It is not suited to Hobart or open gardens in Canberra.
How do you propagate riberry?
From fresh seed or from softwood cuttings. Seed germination is unreliable, while cuttings strike readily and stay true to the parent.
Sources we checked: Australian Plants Society: Syzygium luehmannii; Gardening Australia: Lilly pilly; Gardening Australia: Are lilly pillies edible?; Pip Magazine: Lilly pilly, riberry.