Eucalyptus trees aren’t succulents, either. Native to some of the world’s driest regions, succulents are distinguished by their capacity to absorb and store water in their fleshy leaves and bodies for use during droughts.
Eucalyptus trees and bushes, which are native to Australia and Southeast Asia, don’t share this trait with other plants.
They are comparable to succulents in that they thrive in warmer climates and struggle in cold climates, but other than that, they do not actually have many other things in common.
Baby blue eucalyptus, also known as Eucalyptus pulverulenta, is the kind of eucalyptus that is most frequently found in nurseries across the United States.
This is frequently used in bouquets and flower arrangements and has a strong aroma retention capacity. Baby blue eucalyptus leaves have a waxy layer that keeps them from drying out too soon, allowing their sprigs to last a long time in the water.
The lemon bush eucalyptus and the silver dollar eucalyptus are two other types of eucalyptus that are frequently seen in nearby nurseries.
You could enjoy the citrus aroma of the lemon bush eucalyptus, but the silver dollar eucalyptus is so similar to the baby blue that it might be difficult for a beginner to tell them apart.
Eucalyptus: a plant or a tree?
The myrtle family includes more than 700 plant species within the genus eucalyptus (Myrtaceae). Fast-growing evergreen trees and shrubs known as eucalyptus are indigenous to Australia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Eucalyptus trees can grow up to 300 feet in height. Their bark is readily peeled off and feels pleasant to the touch. Due to the sap that is released when the bark is broken, they are referred to as gum trees. Blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus), the most popular kind of eucalyptus tree, receives its name from its blue-green foliage.
The maximum height of eucalyptus shrubs is roughly 30 feet. Between species, eucalyptus leaves differ widely in size, shape, and color. The most popular kinds have round, glossy green leaves with a tip. Some less developed variants will have rounder, dusty-green leaves. Australian koalas eat about a pound of eucalyptus leaves per day, which makes up the majority of their diet. Nowadays, eucalyptus plants are produced all over the world for their therapeutic benefits and menthol-like aroma.
Do eucalyptus plants grow indoors?
Eucalyptus trees can be carried indoors as houseplants with some care. Eucalyptus plants, as was previously said, are reasonably easy to start and develop quickly, although they can be picky. The best option is to choose a smaller kind that thrives indoors. Eucalyptus erythronema, Eucalyptus gracilis, Eucalyptus socialis, and Eucalyptus oleosa are examples of mallee eucalyptus shrub varieties. Additional kinds that thrive indoors include:
- Gunnii eucalyptus (cider gum)
- Citriodora eucalyptus (lemon-scented gum)
- Vernicosa eucalyptus
- The eucalyptus species
- Eugenia gregsoniana
- Eugenia crenulata
- Coccifera eucalyptus
It is simple to grow the majority of eucalyptus plants from a cutting. Ask a friend who owns a plant to cut off a little branch and place it in a vase of water for a few weeks. After the branch develops roots, it can be placed in a pot. The fussy component? They oppose being replanted. Therefore, it is ideal to choose a large pot that the plant may grow into and that will still look great in ten years. To prevent the roots from sitting in water, make sure the pot contains drainage holes as well. A plant stand with wheels is something else you might want to get so you can move the hefty pot when you shift furniture.
You can attempt to cultivate your plant from seed if you don’t have access to a helpful eucalyptus grower. This plant family’s seeds are typically tiny and prefer to be buried less than an inch beneath the surface of the soil. Keep the soil moist—never let it get too dry or too wet. Also keep in mind that eucalyptus plants greatly dislike being moved. This suggests that you might wish to start your seeds in a container that you can bury in the ground and will eventually degrade, like a homemade newspaper seedling pot, an egg carton, or a toilet paper roll folded at the end. Like you would with a plant produced from a cutting, transplant the entire seedling pot into a sizable, long-term pot after your plant is a few inches tall.
A little plant can also be purchased very conveniently from a mail-order nursery or a nearby garden center! Try not to disrupt the roots when you plant your new baby. When moving any plant into a new location, I frequently remove the soil and roots, but you should never do that with eucalyptus! To remove the plastic container from a plant that is root-bound in its previous container without damaging the roots, use scissors.
Eucalyptus: a shrub or a herb?
The large genus eucalyptus, also known as eucalyptus, contains more than 660 species of tall shrubs and trees that are native to Australia, Tasmania, and nearby islands. The eucalypti are also referred to as gum trees or stringybark trees in Australia. In forestry plantations or as shade trees, numerous species are widely cultivated throughout the world’s temperate regions. Eucalyptus trees are one of the Myrtales order’s most valuable groupings economically.
why eucalyptus shouldn’t be planted?
Due to its allelopathic qualities, eucalyptus depletes the soil’s supplies of nutrients and moisture and prevents undergrowth. Additionally, the sluggish rate of decomposition of the dead plant parts has a negative impact on nutrient cycling.
Eucalyptus can it grow in pots?
You may grow eucalyptus in pots. Pick types that grow slowly, like gunii. Prefer pots or tubs with high rims that are at least 50 cm wide so they won’t topple over in strong winds. Eucalyptus can be brought indoors throughout the winter in too-cold climates by potting it.
Planting and trimming should be done as you would in a field. Put a layer of clay balls in the bottom of the container and garden soil that has been composted to make it more fertile. For the first year, you can leave the planting stake in place to allow the shrub to grow in harmony. At planting, water thoroughly.
Can you keep eucalyptus in water?
Even if you plan to dry your eucalyptus and store it for a while, it is still a good idea to submerge it in water when you first bring it home. Eucalyptus that is still fresh can dry more slowly by being submerged in water, which also protects the leaves from wrinkling and warping.
In fact, the eucalyptus will dry perfectly on its own when submerged in water. Once the eucalyptus has dried naturally, which typically takes 10 to 14 days, all that is left to do is empty the vase of its water. Alternatively, if the vase you’re using is opaque, feel free to keep the water in there until it evaporates. The eucalyptus will still look wonderful and nobody will know.
After the fresh eucalyptus has dried, you have the option of leaving it on display in the vase or trying something more original, like hanging it from your shower to create a delightful spa-like atmosphere at home.
How often should eucalyptus be watered?
The optimum times to water eucalyptus trees are in the early morning or late evening. This encourages efficient water use, while the cooler temperatures lessen evaporation. Eucalyptus should be watered deeply rather than sparingly. This enables water to reach the deeper roots and helps to drain salt accumulation from the soil.
A gradual application rate is preferred because it promotes percolation and allows dry soil to soften. A drip irrigation system should be enlarged over time as the eucalyptus tree grows. Similar to this, the emitters in an irrigation system must be positioned farther away from the root zone.
In general, it is advisable to water old trees every 7 to 21 days and new trees at least once per week in warmer areas. For trees on sandy soil, a more frequent time recommendation is made.
What is the shelf life of eucalyptus?
Eucalyptus is commonly kept inside for a number of purposes. Some others simply enjoy its aroma or appearance. Others use them in the shower to treat various ills while using them as medicines. Whatever your motivation, it’s wise to be aware of how long it will endure.
Eucalyptus can last anywhere from three weeks to several years, depending on how it is preserved. Three to eight weeks is about how long freshly cut eucalyptus can stay in a vase or hanging in the shower, but properly conserved eucalyptus can endure for years.
a brief approach on maintaining eucalyptus
- Cut the stems at a slight slant and trim them to the length you choose.
- Vegetable glycerin is blended into 2 cups of boiling water until completely dissolved. Although it can be difficult to find, you can buy vegetable glycerin on Amazon. Here is a link to the type I suggest.
- Put the eucalyptus stems in the vase with the glycerin solution once the mixture has cooled.
- For two to six weeks, keep the vase in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight.
When your eucalyptus leaves are black, smooth, and soft to the touch, you’ll know it’s been well maintained.
You can learn everything you need to know about the durability of eucalyptus in the remaining paragraphs.
Eucalyptus is it a flower?
More than 700 species of eucalyptus trees, a family of flowering evergreen trees, are indigenous to Australia. Only 15 species can be found in their natural habitats outside of Australia. It’s a large family of lovely trees with a wide range of hues and forms. The height of eucalyptus trees can vary from 33 feet to more than 200 feet. The typical glossy leaves of several species are clothed with an oily sheen. Around 1850, during the California gold rush, railroad companies introduced the trees. Thousands of trees were planted, but in the end, none of them were useful. Eucalyptus, which grows quickly, was not ideal for railroad use.
Koala bears commonly eat eucalyptus trees; the leaves make up the majority of their diet. However, this tree has another characteristic that is uniquely Australian: its wood is only used to make didgeridoos. The Greek words “eu” (meaning good) and “kalyptos” are where the name Eucalyptus originates (meaning covered). This name likely refers to the flower bud, which is protected by the tree’s leaves.
Is eucalyptus a perennial plant?
They are mostly Australian-born evergreen plants or shrubs. There are numerous kinds, in a wide range of sizes, to accommodate most circumstances. Typically, they create beautiful examples that serve well as focal pieces.
The leaves typically have a menthol-like scent and are blue-green or silvery. Juvenile leaves typically have a disc-like shape, whilst mature leaves are more likely to be long and pointed. Coppicing can continue plants from producing young leaf, which is used frequently in floral arrangements.
Gray, brown, green, pink, and white hues of eucalyptus bark can be very decorative. When the outer covering of some species peels off in sections or strips to reveal new colors underneath, it creates a mosaic of different colors.
The flowers are little white or cream stamen pompoms without petals (occasionally yellow, pink or red). Since they have a lot of nectar, bees and other pollinators are drawn to them. Depending on the species, they occur at different periods of the year.
Choosing the right eucalyptus
With eye-catching bark and year-round attractiveness, eucalyptus makes impressive specimen trees with evergreen, grey-blue foliage. Despite being evergreen, they typically have a thin canopy that doesn’t provide significant shade.
While some form shrubs or compact trees and are best suited for big or medium-sized gardens, others can grow fairly tall and are better suited for smaller gardens or even containers.
Eucalyptus may grow quickly, especially in the first few years, usually gaining 1 meter (31 34 feet) or more every year. They can still be clipped to keep them compact, though. To make sure the plant won’t outgrow its container, always measure the eventual height before purchasing.
Visit RHS Plants to learn more about the diversity of species. To view the images and read about the plants, perform a search for “eucalyptus” to learn where to buy them.
How and what to buy
Larger garden centers and certain online plant vendors, especially those who specialize in trees, carry eucalyptus. To find out where to acquire particular species, visit RHS Plants and type in “eucalyptus.”
Species holding an RHS Award of Garden Merit that are well-known and widely accessible include:
Can a eucalyptus root in water?
For other plants, roots in water is a fantastic technique, however the eucalyptus tree cannot use this technique. The easiest technique to make the cutting root is to dip it in rooting hormone before planting it in the ground. Though not assured, it has a higher chance of success than water propagation.
What kind of soil does a eucalyptus need?
A eucalyptus tree doesn’t care much about the kind of soil it needs because of its natural surroundings. But in a perfect world, you would use potting soil that drains effectively, especially for plants that are cultivated in pots. To be more precise, ideal soil would have a pH that is somewhat acidic.
How do I encourage my eucalyptus to grow?
The greatest strategy to promote your eucalyptus tree’s healthy growth is to prune it frequently. By doing this, the plant not only gets rid of any ugly branches but also directs its energy toward developing new branches higher up the tree. You’ll be left with a robust-appearing plant.