Full sun-part shade; will grow towards the brightest area, giving it a leaning appearance. The foliage is extremely thick and leathery, dark green on the upper surface and bright silver below. May grow as a small, gnarled tree, reaching to no more than about 15 ft; or it may be reduced to a small shrub. Flowers occur in "flower spike", an inflorescence made up of several hundred flowers densely packed in a spiral around a woody axis. This is roughly cylindrical, 4–5in high and five 2in wide. Flowers are usually pale yellow to yellow, but may be greenish or pinkish in bud. Highly tolerant of coastal conditions. Ideal for locations where width is restricted.