find out how to grow eucalyptus for their hardiness , fragrance , and quick growth .
Known for its menthol - like scent and as a makeweight in cut blossom arrangement , eucalyptus works can also be grown as container plant and showy annuals . These baffling trees , stalwart in Zones 7 - 10 , have over 700 metal money available , and most are aboriginal to Australia . Although some of these plants make over 200 feet marvellous , you’re able to memorize how to grow eucalypt seasonally in the garden and even as a houseplant .
Eucalyptus is grown for its potent essential vegetable oil , commonly derived from theE. globulus . These fragrant oils are used to nose perfumes and fragrances . All portion of the eucalyptus tree plant life produce these oils , but they are most normally derived through steam distillation of the leaves .
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Eucalyptus barque , leaves , and rock oil are debate extremely toxic to both humans and most fauna . In fact , koala bears — who dine almost exclusively on eucalyptus leaves — can only tolerate the leaves because of the unparalleled microbes in their digestive parcel that break down the otherwise harmful compounds . peel contact with the leaves or oil of the flora may induce minor contact dermatitis in some multitude .
Where to Plant Eucalyptus
Plant eucalyptus where it will get full sun and have uniform and adequate drainage . Make certain there ’s plenty of way around it so it can farm big and wide .
If you ’re engraft eucalypt in an area where they ’re hardy , they may exhibit allelopathic effects on some flora . That ’s when a plant releases toxins into the grease so competing plant ca n’t grow . There is still some uncertainty about the level of allelopathy that eucalyptus tree tree have , but it ’s something to consider when implant .
The cyder gum ( E. gunnii ) , silver dollar ( E. cinerea ) , and Alpine cyder gum ( E. archeri ) are peculiarly suited for growing indoors in containers . prefer an area of your base with a south - face window so the works can get stack of sunlight .
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Some eucalyptus tree tree and shrubs are considered invasive in some area — in particular the coastal region of California and the island of Hawaii . The California Invasive Plant Council ( CAL - IPC ) classifies usual blue chewing gum eucalyptus tree as moderately invasive and does not recommend planting them for this reason and because the trees are extremely inflammable and could exacerbate wildfire wrong . The Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk ( HEAR ) projection Biological Resources Division classifiesE. globulusandE. robustaas invasive for their allelopathic tendency .
How and When to Plant Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus should be engraft afterward in the outpouring or in the surrender , depending on yourUSDA Zone . Dig a hole that ’s a mo larger than the tree diagram ’s beginning ball , and — if you are planting more than one eucalyptus tree plant — space them about 8 to 10 foot apart to give them peck of infinite to grow . If you plan to grow your eucalyptus flora as yearly shrubs , they will need slimly less distance as they are likely to only reach out 6 to 8 feet in acme . Water the tree both before you transplant it to the earth and after it ’s planted .
Eucalyptus Care Tips
Eucalyptus are fast - growing plants that can be challenge to produce outside their natural habitat .
Light
Eucalyptusneeds full sunlight , which helps plants grow sturdy and promotes better branch , burnished flatware foliation , and higher oil content .
Soil and Water
Eucalyptuslikes well - drain , consistently - moist dirt that are slightly acidic with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 . If you ’re planting one as a tree diagram , be aware these are thirsty plants . body of water at least once a hebdomad if pot , and check that grease is dry before watering outdoors .
When growing eucalyptus indoors , use any general - use well - drain potting media and make certain the container you use has ample drainage .
Temperature and Humidity
Eucalyptus do well in moderate temperatures , between 65ºF and 75ºF. If the temperature dip below 50ºF , they get , so if you ’re growing them in pots , convey them indoors if they ’re outside . A bit of humidness is sound for eucalyptus plant .
Fertilizer
Use a low - nitrogen fertilizer , following maker ’s command , for indoor eucalyptus plants or outdoor plant life in container . Trees and plants in your yard wo n’t want fertilizer .
Pruning
There are several methods for pruning eucalyptus depending on your needs and which species you are growing .
Potting and Repotting Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus are debauched growers ; their ascendent can quickly occupy a belittled container . Their roots are quite tender , so it ’s best to start with a bigger throne to avoid the need to transplant them later on . Because their theme are so fragile , the eucalyptus tree will not do well if dug up and relocate after two growing season . select the right metal money for your landscape painting environment before set .
If you ’re growing eucalyptus tree as a houseplant , or overwintering one , give it as much sun as potential in the abode . unremarkably , a bright southern pic will work well . To maintain good health during the wintertime , many variety need to experience cool temperatures while in their non - active growth period .
Some dwarf cultivar and species can turn indoors but only for a year and up to five eld before outgrowing the Department of the Interior of a home .
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Pests and Problems
The longhorned borer beetle attacks eucalyptus tree in California . They create fix in the barque where liquid will ooze out . Unfortunately , there ’s no in force pesticide for these pests , so tree management is essential to keep these insects from damaging tree . Otherwise , there are few gadfly or problems that can harm eucalyptus trees .
How to Propagate Eucalyptus
generation can be done with cuttings use up during tardy summer from tree diagram between two and 12 month after establish . cut back a 5 - inch branch and dip it in root internal secretion . supply the limb to a pot with farm medium . mark the pot in indirect sunlight to keep the plant at around 70ºF. In about a month , roots should shape .
Planting eucalypt from garden plants or seeds is the easiest way to grow them , but many species of eucalyptus tree seeds must be stratified in the icebox for at least two month before plant . This will simulate winter and promote germination . throw out the seeds in a formative bag with some vermiculite , perlite , or sand and spritz the contents to moisten the mix . Date the bag and post it in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 hebdomad . When you are ready to embed — sooner two calendar month before the last Robert Frost , take a container ( if grow indoors ) , starting tray , or growing heap with a well - draining potting mix and localise the seeds on top , lightly covering them with stain . Place the container in a affectionate property with lots of indirect lightness and spritz the seed day by day as they bourgeon ( which may take 3 to 4 workweek ) .
Types of Eucalyptus
Dwarf Blue Gum
Eucalyptus globulus’Compacta ' is a tight - acquire tree that usually persist less than 30 animal foot improbable , but it ’s easy to keep pare to 10 feet tall . Dwarf blue gum brook creamy - lily-white flowers in wintertime , followed by blue seed abridgement in summer that omit from the tree , make this somewhat of a nuisance tree diagram . zona 9 - 11
Lemon-Scented Gum
Eucalyptus citriodorais a large tree that grows 75 - 100 feet tall and spreads 25 - 50 groundwork wide . maize - scented glue bears small blank flower in winter . Some experts have reclassify this Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree asCorymbia citriodora . Zones 9 - 11
Rainbow Gum
Eucalyptus degluptagets its name from itsmulticolor barque . The tree diagram sheds patch of bark on an irregular basis to bring out green internal barque , which darken with age to drear , purple , maroon , and orangish . Also known as Mindanoa or Indonesian chewing gum , it ’s a great tree , grow up to 200 feet tall and 40 feet broad . zone 10 - 11
Eucalyptus trees shed their barque every year as a natural process to take out parasite , dislodge dead bark , and allow for trunk expansion . light bark also makes great mulch .
Red Flowering Gum
Eucalyptus ficifoliais one of the showiest eucalyptus Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . It bears clustering of crimson , orange , pink , or white heyday above the tree diagram canopy sporadically throughout the year . The tree grows 25 to 40 feet tall and broad . Botanists have reclassify it asCorymbia ficifolia , but you ’ll often chance it sold by its traditional name . zone 10 - 11
Red Ironbark
Eucalyptus sideroxylonis prognosticate red ironbark because matured tree diagram develop deeply crease ruby - brown barque . This tree may grow upright to 80 ft improbable or beweeping in formand remain below 20 feet grandiloquent . The breadth ranges from 20 to 45 feet . parting on juvenile plants are blue - whitened and lancelike in form . Mature tree make sickle - mold leaves that turn bronze in winter . bloom color variegate from pinkish - lily-white to red . Zones 9 - 11
Silver Dollar Gum
Eucalyptus cinereais a small tree that grows up to 30 feet magniloquent and 10 to 15 feet wide . The silvery leaves are round and gray - light-green , give ascent to the tree ’s common name . As the plant old age , leaves become more ellipse and stretch . Cut stems are often used in flowered arrangements . Zones 8 - 11
‘Silver Drop’ Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus gunnii’Silver Drop ' is most commonly grow as an yearly for its fragrant silver - green foliation . It spring up 2 to 3 substructure tall and wide . zone 8 - 11
Spotted Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus maculatais also sometimes classified asCorymbia maculata . It gets its common name from its temporary barque coloration . The bark sheds in eccentric , leaving spots of white , gray , green , and pink . The Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree bear ashen bloom in summertime . In cultivation , it reaches 60 ft tall and 30 feet wide-eyed . zona 9 - 11
Sydney Blue Gum
Eucalyptus salignais a fast - turn large tree that may reach 180 foot tall , but in cultivation it typically tops out at 50 to 60 feet tall and 25 feet broad . From late bound through summer it wear pink to blank flowers , which pull hiss . Zones 9 - 11
Frequently Asked Questions
Because eucalyptus tree is rich in of the essence oil color compounds that are extremely volatile , the plants are of some care to firefighters because they can very quickly sunburn . On very hot day , forests of eucalyptus tree can be seen shrouded in a haze . This is triggered by the fossil oil compound of the plant becoming vaporized due to the passion .
Eucalyptus trees are also notorious for being messy . As many species years , they disgorge dowery of their bark , littering the ground below . On the plus side , this exfoliate barque can be quite beautiful , especially during the wintertime .
" Eucalyptus . “North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox .
Credit: Denny Schrock
" Eucalyptus . “ASPCA .
" Koala Facts . “Queensland Government Department of Environment , Science and Innovation . May 22 , 2024 .
" Unravelling the bioherbicide potential difference of eucalyptus globulus labill : Biochemistry and effects of its sedimentary extract . “National Library of Medicine .
Credit: Denny Schrock
" Eucalyptus globulus . “California Invasive Plant Council .
" Eucalyptus globulus . “Hawaiian Ecosystems at peril .
“ Eucalyptus Houseplants : Home . ”NYBG LuEsther T. Mertz Library Plant & Research Guides . January 7 , 2025 .
Credit: Denny Schrock
" Eucalyptus Longhorned Borers . “Agriculture and Natural Resources , University of California .
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
Credit: Denny Schrock
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
