The blue-green foliage of eucalyptus is a favorite among florists and adds gorgeous texture to gardens.
Key Takeaways
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptusspp.)
is a versatile plant in the home and garden.
Credit:Flavia Morlachetti / Getty Images
It’s easy forhouseplant beginnersto care for, and gardeners adore the fragrance it brings to the home.
Eucalyptus makes a striking accent in landscapes with gorgeous foliage and colorful bark.
Some cultivars can be grown indoors as a houseplant for a few years until they outgrow the space.
Plant in spring after all danger of frost has passed.
It is often trained as a standard.
The aromatic foliage of eucalyptus takes on two distinct shapes: juvenile and adult.
The silver coin-shaped juvenile foliage of silver dollar tree givesE.
This striking blue foliage is widely used in fresh and dried flower arrangements.
In spring, small white flowers appear on mature trees.
Plants can be pruned to maintain juvenile foliage and a more compact habit.
Plants are drought-tolerant once established andresist deer browsing.
Salt and wind tolerance makes eucalyptus useful in coastal landscapes.
It grows in full sun and needs moderate watering and well-drained soil.
Indoors, grow eucalyptus in bright, direct light in an area with sufficient airflow.
Depending on where you live, some eucalyptus species are considered invasive and should be avoided in the landscape.
In California, several species including the blue gum tree,E.
globulus, are considered highly invasive.Check local guidelines before planting eucalyptus and avoid species known to be problematic.
Light
Eucalyptus grows infull sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sun per day.
Plant in an airy, sunny location that is sheltered from the wind.
Soil
Eucalyptus performs well in dry to mediumsoils with good drainage.
Mix a little compost or topsoil into poor, sandy soils.
Heavy clay soils should be amended with coarse grit.
Houseplants can be planted in well-draining potting mix that contains coarse sand or perlite.
Mulch around the base after planting to help retain moisture.
Water
Eucalyptus has low to moderate water needs.
However, young plants and container plants require regular watering to support growth and establish roots.
Water deeply to encourage deep rooting.
Plants are drought-tolerant once established.
For indoor container plants, water when the top inch of soil is dry.
Temperature And Humidity
Native to arid climates, eucalyptus has low requirements for humidity.
As houseplants, they need temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Most eucalyptus can be grown in the Coastal and Tropical South, or USDA Zones 9-11.
Fertilizer
Eucalyptus plants growing in the ground outdoors don’t require supplemental fertilizer.
In poor, sandy soils, add some compost to enrich the soil at the time of planting.
Potted plants benefit from a slow-release fertilizer during the growing season.
Apply fertilizer at half strength each month starting in spring and stopping after early fall.
You don’t want to encourage tender new growth in the fall, as cold temperatures could damage it.
Due to its popularity in theflorist trade, several speciesare available from seed companies and specialty growers.
Others are sold as landscape trees, houseplants, or shrubs.
Gardeners looking to grow eucalyptus for cuttings will need to follow a regular pruning schedule.
Different pruning methods can be used, depending on your goals.
Coppice Pruning
Coppice pruning is the secret to keeping eucalyptus plants producing that stunning juvenile foliage.
Coppice pruning must be started when the plants are youngdon’t try it on a mature tree.
To coppice prune, cut the main stem at 12 to 18 inches above the ground.
Plants produce new shoots from the base, creating a multi-stemmed bush of juvenile foliage.
Repeat coppicing every year or every few years to rejuvenate plants.
Hedge Pruning
Eucalyptus plants can also be maintained as a hedge or large shrub.
Begin pruning after the second growing season, removing about one-third of the height of each stem.
In subsequent years, prune stems back by one-quarter.
Also, remove crossing and dead or diseased growth.
Propagating Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is challenging to propagate from cuttings, so most gardenersgrow them from seed.
Cuttings must be taken from young plants or young shoots on a coppiced plant.
Don’t take cuttings in winter while the plant is in dormancy.
Sow seeds indoors 10 to 12 weeks before the average last frost date for your area.
Start with high-quality potting soil containing perlite or coarse sand to promote drainage.
Eucalyptus plants need plenty of light and perform best in a south-facing window.
Provide regular watering during the growing season and reduce irrigation frequency during the winter.
Because eucalyptus grows quickly, plants may require repotting each spring.
Size can be maintained by pruning foliage back hard after the growing season.
it’s possible for you to also try coppicing the plant in spring every few years.
Eucalyptus does not like to have its roots disturbed, so handle it carefully when repotting.
Cold-hardy species may appreciate being moved to a cooler location over winter.
Ascontainer plants, they generally need sheltering in climates that experience frost.
This allows the plant to have a period of dormancy, or rest, before spring arrives.
Eucalyptus does not shed its leaves and will need adequate light.
To stool bushy plants, cut stems back to the ground as you would when coppicing.
Plants grown as a standard can be stooled by cutting the branches back to the trunk.
Eucalyptus can also beoverwintered as a houseplant.
Place eucalyptus in a bright window and reduce watering over the winter months.
The larvae leave behind crystallized white honeydew.
Usinginsecticidal soapis effective in controlling the problem on small plants.
In humid conditions, powdery mildew can develop on foliage.
Maintain good air circulation around plants to minimize the occurrence.
Eucalyptus is accustomed to arid conditions and can be sensitive to overwatering.
Inadequate drainage or excessive watering can lead to root rot.
Site plants accordingly and manage irrigation to prevent waterlogged roots.
Fungal diseases can cause leaf spots, root rot, or cankers.
When pruning away diseased stems, disinfect pruners between each cut.
Spraying diseased foliage in spring with a fungicide may help control the problem.
Older trees with heart rot, fungal infections that enter through wounds, need to be removed.
They typically flower in tropical and coastal areas, such as Florida, Hawaii, and California.
In Florida, eucalyptus trees flower in September to November.
Harvest eucalyptus late in the growing season.
you might also hang stems upside down to dry for straighter stalks.
They are dry when the leaves feel leathery and crisp.
Store leaves in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
Stems can be used in floral arrangements, in vases, or hung.
Here are two other problems to watch out for.
Water deeply when the soil is dry until the plant is established.
Hot weather may require morefrequent watering.
Also ensure that you are not overwatering the plant and improve drainage if needed.
Finally, root-bound plants can have difficulty getting enough moisture and nutrients and should be repotted.
Dropping Leaves
Eucalyptus trees naturally drop mature leaves each year.
Trees also shed leaves as a defense during periods of drought.
If your plant is in a container, make certain you are providing adequate water.
The same goes for trees in the ground during long, hot dry spells.
Eucalyptus leaves do not break down easily and can become a fire hazard in dry climates.
Rake and remove leaves if they are beginning to build up under the tree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eucalyptus trees absorb a lot of water from underground.
Leaf litter tends to inhibit plants from growing under them.
Also, if roots develop at the surface, the trees become top-heavy and can fall.
Finally, eucalyptus can be a fire hazard.
Eucalyptus trees can live for hundreds of years in their native Australia.
Late cold snaps can shorten the life of the trees in the U.S.
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.Eucalyptus.
University of Florida IFAS.Eucalyptus cinerea.
University of Florida, IFAS.Assessment of non-ntive plants in Florida’s natural areas.Eucalyptus deglupta.
California Invasive Plant Council.Eucalyptus globulus.
Oregon State University, College of Agricultural Sciences.Eucalyptus.
