Grow Eucalyptus
Some types of Eucalyptus can be grown as houseplants and others do well only in warm climates growing outside. Most eucalyptus must be grown outside in areas where freezing does not occur. Eucalypti are attractive plants with aromatic leaves often used in herbal preparations and for potpourri and scented wreaths. The trick to growing eucalyptus is to know they prefer cool but above freezing winter periods and moderate warmth in the summer.
Contents
Steps
Outdoor Growing
- Study catalogs and references to find a species suitable for your location.
- Choose a species hardy enough for your climate. Some varieties are hardier than others but eucalyptus will only become a tree in frost-free climates.
- Choose a species of eucalyptus that will fit into your landscape when mature. There are species from 20’ to 60’ (6 to 18 m) high at maturity and some make a broad tree while others are slender.
- Choose smaller trees for transplanting. Root bound plants do not transplant well.
- Select a full sun, well drained location.
- Plant the eucalyptus.
- Dig a hole 3” to 4” (7.6-10.2 cm) wider than the root ball and the same depth.
- Remove the pot or any burlap around the root ball.
- Center the plant in the hole and refill the hole with the soil you took out.
- Water well to settle the soil.
- Add more soil if necessary to bring the level to the top of the root ball.
- Keep eucalyptus well watered the first season after planting.
- Don’t water after the first season unless there is a prolonged drought.
- Fertilization is generally not required.
Indoor Growing
- Choose a smaller variety of eucalyptus for indoor growing.
- Use a potting mix for indoor plants, not garden soil.
- Place the eucalyptus plant in a bright location, preferably a south window or sunroom.
- Water eucalyptus when the top of the potting soil is dry.
- Use room temperature water.
- Add water until it runs out of the bottom of the pot.
- Empty drained water out of trays or saucers immediately.
- Do not mist eucalyptus or keep it in a humid location.
- Keep eucalyptus in temperatures between 50º and 75ºF (10º to 24ºC) indoors.
- Repot eucalyptus each spring into a slightly bigger pot.
- Fertilize it once in spring, after re-potting, when new growth begins. Use a houseplant fertilizer as the label directs.
- Prune with pruning shears at any time to maintain shape and size if desired.
Tips
- A few eucalyptus species (E. nipfolia, E. polyanthemos, E. gunnii) will grow in planting zones 7 and above but will die to the ground each fall and come back from the roots in summer.
- The leaves on a young eucalyptus plant may look different when it matures.
- Eucalyptus has few pests or diseases.
- Another name for eucalyptus is gum tree.
- Eucalyptus does not like to be root bound in a pot.
- Good indoor varieties of eucalyptus are E. gunnii and E. citriodora.
Warnings
- Eucalyptus dies quickly if kept too wet.
Things You’ll Need
- Houseplant potting medium
- Pruning shears
- Pots with good drainage
- Trays or saucers to collect excess water
- Houseplant fertilizer
Sources and Citations
- Hogan, Sean, Flora, Portland, Oregon, Timber Press, 2003 Vol.1 pg. 567-576
- Hessayon, Dr.D.G., The Houseplant Expert, London, England, Expert Books, 1994, pg. 134
