• Small bushy plant Melastoma malabathricum subsp. Malabathricum 'Native Blue Tongue'
  • Close up purple 5 petaled flower on the Melastoma malabathricum subsp. Malabathricum 'Native Blue Tongue'
1 2

Melastoma affine (Blue Tongue)

Melastoma affine (Blue Tongue)

$30.65
$30.65
Sale Sold out
Taxes included. Shipping calculated at checkout.
Size
Next delivery date:

$100 minimum spend required for checkout.

Why we love this plant!

With large, vibrant purple flowers and softly textured foliage, Melastoma affine adds seasonal colour and texture to native gardens. Its blooms support local pollinators, while the small, fleshy fruits attract birds and other wildlife, making it a useful addition to habitat-focused plantings. This medium shrub is a good option for informal hedging, mid-layer planting, or revegetation projects in South East Queensland. It thrives in warm, humid conditions and contributes to biodiversity in both landscaped and natural-style gardens.

Care Considerations

Watering preferences:

  • Water regularly until established, then reduce frequency based on rainfall.

Mulching preferences:

  • Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Fertilising preferences:

  • A balanced fertiliser can be applied in spring to promote healthy growth.

Pruning preferences:

  • A light prune after flowering can help maintain shape and encourage dense growth.

Good to Know:

  • Attracts native bees including blue-banded bees (Amegilla cingulata) and stingless bees (Tetragonula spp.).
  • The vibrant flowers are also visited by hoverflies and butterflies, such as the Common Grass-blue (Zizina labradus).
  • The fleshy fruits are consumed by small birds including silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis) and honeyeaters.

Plant Details
Common uses: Border planting, Seasonal colour, Pollinator-friendly, Low maintenance garden, Drought hardy/tolerant, Robust/Hardy, Tropical garden, Understory planting, Feature plant, Textural interest, Attractive foliage, and Wow! factor
Expected Height Range: 1 m – 3 m
Spread Range: 1 m – 2 m
Preferred positioning: Partial shade and Full sun
Flower Season/s: Summer and Spring
Watering Preferences: Water regularly until established, then reduce frequency based on rainfall.
Mulching Preferences: Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Fertilising Preferences: A balanced fertiliser can be applied in spring to promote healthy growth.
Pruning Preferences: A light prune after flowering can help maintain shape and encourage dense growth.
Key Characteristics: Attracts native bees including blue-banded bees (Amegilla cingulata) and stingless bees (Tetragonula spp.).. The vibrant flowers are also visited by hoverflies and butterflies, such as the Common Grass-blue (Zizina labradus).. The fleshy fruits are consumed by small birds including silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis) and honeyeaters..
Flower Colour/s:
Plant life cycle: Perennial
Habitat: Melastoma affine is native to eastern Australia, where it occurs naturally from northern Queensland (Cape York region) through to New South Wales. It is typically found in wet sclerophyll forests, rainforest margins, open forest edges and along creek lines, favouring moist, well‑drained soils in subtropical to tropical climates. The species also occurs across parts of Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
Leaf information: Large, velvety green leaves with prominent parallel veins and finely toothed edges
Preferred Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soils, and thrives in loamy or sandy conditions enriched with organic matter. Performs best in areas with consistent moisture, such as rainforest margins or protected garden beds.
View full details
Important Notice:

The information on this page is intended as a general guide to help you make informed decisions about your garden. It's your responsibility to assess whether this information suits your specific situation and local conditions.

While we work hard to keep our information accurate and current, gardening involves many variables that can affect plant performance and suitability. What works in one garden may not work in another.

Livable Garden Centre doesn't provide guarantees or warranties about the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of this information. We also can't guarantee specific outcomes for plants or products featured on our website. Use this information at your own discretion and risk.

Always consider your local climate, soil conditions, and specific garden needs when making planting decisions. When in doubt, consult with local gardening professionals or extension services.