Eucalyptus Plant Care Guide for Beginners

Eucalyptus Plant Care Guide for Beginners

Eucalyptus is a versatile plant in the home and garden. Houseplant enthusiasts love the aroma it brings home. Eucalyptus provides an attractive accent to landscapes with gorgeous foliage and colorful bark. Eucalyptus plants are easy to care for and can be stretched in containers, kept as shrubs, or allowed to mature into trees. They often receive standardized training.

Eucalyptus fragrant leaves take two different forms: juvenile and adult. The silver coin-shaped juvenile leaves give eucalyptus its common name, the silver dollar tree.

These attractive blue leaves are widely used in fresh and dried flower arrangements. Adult leaves are elongated, waxy, and dull green. In spring, mature plants bear small white flowers. Plants can be pruned to maintain youthful foliage and a more compact habit.

Plant Attributes

Eucalyptus Care

Eucalyptus is a fast-growing plant that can grow six to eight feet in one season. In areas with severe winters, eucalyptus is commonly grown as landscape trees or pruned to maintain a shrubby habit and used as windbreaks or in mixed borders.

In colder regions, eucalyptus should be grown indoors as annual shrubs from overwintered or spring-planted seedlings. The plants are drought tolerant once established and resist browsing by deer. Salt and wind tolerance make eucalyptus useful in coastal landscapes.

Light

Eucalyptus grows in full sun and needs at least six hours of direct sun per day.

Soil

Plants are drought-tolerant once established. They do well in dry to medium soils with good drainage.

Water

Eucalyptus has low to moderate water needs. Younger plants need more water to grow and establish roots. Water deeply to encourage deep roots.

Temperature and Humidity

Native to dry climates, eucalyptus have low humidity requirements, making them easy to keep indoors. In the garden, plants are not always winter-hardy, but they quickly grow from the roots after a hard frost.

Fertilizer

Eucalyptus plants grown in outdoor soil will probably not need supplemental fertilizer except in poor soil. Indoor and outdoor potted plants benefit from slow-release fertilizers during the growing season.

Caring For Eucalyptus Indoors

Eucalyptus is an excellent houseplant, but remember that the plant is poisonous to humans, dogs, cats, and horses. 12 Start with high-quality potting soil that contains perlite for drainage.

Eucalyptus plants need lots of light and do best in a south-facing window. Water regularly during the growing season and reduce watering frequency during the winter. Because eucalyptus grows quickly, repotting the tree may be necessary each spring. The shape can be maintained by pruning leaves hard after the growing season.

Types Of Eucalyptus

The silver dollar tree is one of more than 700 species in the Eucalyptus genus, native to all of the United States and some surrounding islands.3 In their native range, Eucalyptus trees are called gum trees, which is reflected in many of the species names listed below.

Due to its popularity in the florist trade, several species of eucalyptus are available from seed companies and specialty growers. Others are sold as landscape trees or shrubs.

Eucalyptus Species Grown for Cutting

Silver-leaved mountain gum, Eucalyptus pulverulent, is one of the most popular eucalypts grown for cutting. The blue leaves of the “Baby Blue” cultivar are incredibly beautiful. The slender, gray-green leaves of willow mint, or E. Nicolli, are distinctive and give a delicate texture to the arrangement.

Eucalyptus lemon, E. citriodora, has a unique citrus scent and long, arrow-shaped leaves that turn red in fall. This article features, Silver Dollar Tree or E. Cinerea is also commonly grown for cutting.

Eucalyptus Species To Grow as Houseplants

Many eucalyptus species grown for cutting also make excellent houseplants, such as lemon eucalyptus and silver dollar trees. Another popular species for indoor gardening is cider gum or E. Gunny, including compact varieties like “Silver Drop,” which features small, metallic leaves. E. albida, grows slowly and is easy to maintain in containers.

Uses and Benefits

The evergreen eucalyptus tree grows quickly and has many uses and health benefits. Its oil, which is obtained from the leaves through steam distillation, has long been utilized in a variety of traditional medical procedures all over the world due to its antibacterial qualities.

Benefits and Uses:

• Antimicrobial Properties: Eucalyptus oil exhibits antimicrobial action, helping to treat possible infections. It has historically been used in hospitals and recent research indicates its effectiveness against respiratory bacteria.
• Respiratory Health: Eucalyptus is a common ingredient in cold and cough remedies as it decongests, acts as an expectorant, and soothes sore throats.
• Dental Care: Because of its antimicrobial qualities, it is good for oral health and may find use in mouthwashes and dental preparations.
• Skin Care: Eucalyptus oil has antifungal and antiseptic qualities, and it has been traditionally utilized by indigenous peoples to treat fungal infections and wounds.
• Insect Repellent: Eucalyptus oil acts as an effective insect repellent and insecticide with applications in controlling mosquitoes and house flies.
• Pain Relief: Research indicates the potential of eucalyptus oil as a pain reliever, especially for muscle and joint pain.
• Immune System Support: Studies suggest that eucalyptus oil can stimulate the immune system’s response to pathogens, helping the body’s defense system.

Side Effects and Precautions:

• Eucalyptus oil should be diluted before topical application to prevent skin irritation and burning sensation.
• Allergy testing is recommended before use due to its allergenic nature.
• Oral ingestion of eucalyptus oil is toxic and can lead to adverse effects such as gastrointestinal upset, dizziness, and respiratory distress.
• Individuals with asthma should be cautious as eucalyptus may exacerbate symptoms.
• Children and pregnant women should use eucalyptus oil with care due to increased sensitivity and potential risks.

How To Grow Eucalyptus from Seed

Eucalyptus grows very quickly from seed, making it an economical way to start new plants. Sow seeds indoors 10 to 12 weeks before the average last frost date in your area.

1. Fill a seed tray or other shallow container with a seed soil mixture. Deep cell packs work well for eucalyptus because they don’t like having their roots disturbed. Make sure the bottom of the pot has drainage holes.
2. Before sowing, moisten the soil evenly until it is moist but not soggy.
3. Sow the seeds on the surface of the soil and press them gently into the soil before covering them with a very thin layer of soil or fine sand.
4. Maintain temperatures between 65˚F and 75˚F during the day and at night. Water the tray from below or use a mister to keep the soil moist without disturbing the seeds. Covering the seed tray with plastic is a great way to keep the soil moist.
5. Eucalyptus seeds germinate slowly and benefit from a heating pad. Seedlings will emerge in 14 to 21 days or more depending on the species. When the seedlings sprout, remove the plastic and remove from the heating pad.
6. Provide seedlings with 14 to 16 hours of bright light daily. If additional light is needed, use a fluorescent plant light placed three to four inches above the seedling, increasing it as the plant grows.
7. If seeds are started in trays, transplant them individually into three- to four-inch pots when the first true leaves emerge. For plants intended to be grown indoors, wait to transplant them into individual containers when the plants are four to five inches tall.
8. Begin hardening off seedlings about a week before planting in the garden or outdoor container.

Pruning Eucalyptus

Unless you plan to grow eucalyptus as a tree, trees need regular pruning to maintain their shape. And gardeners who want to grow eucalyptus for cutting need to follow a regular pruning schedule. Different pruning methods can be used depending on your goals.

Coppice pruning is the secret to keeping eucalyptus trees producing that impressive youthful foliage. This pruning method involves cutting the entire plant to the ground in late winter or early spring.

Most eucalyptus species respond well to coppice pruning. Plants produce new shoots from the base, which form a multi-stemmed bush of juvenile leaves. Repeat annual re-potting to rejuvenate plants.

Eucalyptus plants can also be kept as hedges or large shrubs. Begin pruning after the second growing season, removing about one-third of the height of each stem.

In subsequent years, layoffs are reduced by a quarter. If the plants are not well-branched, you can prune as above to encourage branching and then begin pruning for height after two growing seasons.

Propagation Methods

Sally Allsopp, horticulturist at All That Grows, says: “If you’re thinking of propagating eucalyptus by cuttings, the best time to do so is when the plant is actively growing, which is usually late spring or early summer.” You have to wait until your plant has at least three sets of leaves that you can easily take as cuttings.’ Then dip the end in the rooting hormone for about 30 seconds.

Once you’ve done that, “bury two sets of leaves in the compost and leave one set hanging,” says Allsop. For eucalyptus, it’s best to choose high-quality, well-draining soil and keep an eye on the container.

‘If you water and mist the cuttings regularly, you’ll see them root and within a few weeks, you can move them to a larger pot or plant them outside.

Conclusion

If you live outside of the eucalyptus hardiness zone, you should bring the plants indoors before the first frost for winter storage. An easy way to maintain eucalyptus trees in the winter is to stake them and store them in a cool, dark basement or frost-free garage.

Defoliation is a pruning method that removes the leaves, leaving only the stems and roots to go dormant during the winter. To prune herbaceous plants, cut the stems to the ground when pruning. Plants grown as standard can be pruned by cutting trunk branches.

Eucalyptus can also be overwintered as a houseplant. When bringing eucalyptus indoors in the fall, set the plants aside for a few weeks to make sure they are pest-free before introducing them to other houseplants. Place eucalyptus in a bright window and reduce watering during the winter months.

Common Problems

Eucalyptus is not bothered by any insects or serious pests. In humid conditions, powdery mildew can develop on the leaves. Maintain good air circulation around plants to reduce incidence.

Eucalyptus is accustomed to dry conditions and can be sensitive to overwatering. Improper drainage or overwatering can cause root rot. Position the plants accordingly and water to prevent the roots from becoming waterlogged.

FAQ

How do you start an eucalyptus plant?

Eucalyptus grows very quickly from seed, making it an economical way to start new plants. Sow seeds indoors 10 to 12 weeks before the average last frost date in your area. Fill a seed tray or other shallow container with a seed soil mixture.

How do you keep eucalyptus plants fresh?

Check the water level to make sure there is enough water for thirsty flowers. To increase the longevity of your plants, cut back the stems and refresh the water every 3-4 days.

Is eucalyptus easy to keep alive?

Care for your Eucalyptus

These plants are accustomed to tropical and warm environments. They can tolerate drought with some drying out, but don’t go too long without watering them. These are evergreen plants, so if your leaves drop, try adjusting your watering schedule.

How do you keep eucalyptus happy?

When living indoors with eucalyptus, the following care tips can help you keep these plants in their happy place. Make sure it is located in an area of bright light or full sun, with moist, well-drained soil and a normal room temperature (68°F to 72°F).