Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus gunnii and Eucalyptus spp.
Eucalyptus trees are fast-growing evergreens with aromatic, often silver-blue leaves and peeling bark. In gardens they are often cut back regularly to keep the round juvenile leaves used in floristry.
Photo: Wouter Hagens · Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Full sun
Watering
Low
Water until established; then they are drought tolerant.
Soil
Well-drained soil; pH 5.5–7.0.
Temperature and humidity
-12–45 °C · Low humidity
Feeding
Not usually needed.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by seed
Coppice or prune hard in spring to keep it small and bushy.
The leaves and oil are toxic if eaten and can cause vomiting and drooling in pets.
Top Cultivation Tips
Plant young; older pot-bound trees establish poorly.
Keep well away from buildings.
Large plantations can dry out local water tables.
Dwarf varieties suit pots.
Common problems
Leaf spot
Fungal or bacterial infections that cause brown, black or purple spots on leaves, often with a yellow halo, leading to early leaf drop.
How to treat it →PestScale insects
Immobile, shell-covered insects that cling to stems and leaves, draining sap and weakening trees and houseplants.
How to treat it →
