How to Grow and Care for Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus spp.

I can never quite decide what I love most about eucalyptus trees. The fragrance always tops the list – until I catch a glimpse of those round, silvery juvenile leaves.

Or maybe it’s their adaptability and drought tolerance? No, it’s definitely the fragrance – except then I remember how fast they grow, how fantastic they are for firewood, and the value of their essential oil.

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The Eucalyptus genus is much broader than most people realize. With around 700 species, it includes everything from petite shrubs to some of the tallest trees in the world.

Some thrive in arid conditions, while others flourish in swamps.

In this guide, we’ll explore the diversity of eucalyptus, from its rich history to practical tips for growing these unique trees.

Here’s what I’ll cover:

Eucalyptus belongs to the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) and is primarily native to Australia. Juvenile leaves are usually oval or round, waxy, and silver-toned, arranged in opposite pairs.

As the plant matures, the leaves elongate into lanceolate shapes, shift to an alternating pattern, and take on a more muted bluish hue.

Most eucalyptus trees are evergreen, though a few species are deciduous.

Mature trees produce flowers and fruit, with the fruit forming in distinctive woody capsules known as gumnuts.

The flowers are often overlooked but are showy in their own right, resembling colorful tassels in white, yellow, pink, or red.

The vast majority of Eucalyptus species won’t tolerate temperatures that drop much below freezing, though some, like the aptly-named snow gums (E. paucilfora) can survive down to -4°F.

A hallmark of the genus is its bark. Each year, the outer layer dies and is replaced, but not always shed.

Some species build up layers of thick, rough bark – part of what makes them so flammable – while others slough it off in strips, ribbons, or flakes, revealing smooth bark beneath that’s often pink or gray.

All eucalyptus species produce a gummy resin when their bark is damaged, giving rise to the common name “gum trees.”

Depending on the species, they may also be known as ghost, red, ribbon, swamp, or mountain gums – or bloodwoods.

The leaves are covered in oil glands, which produce oil containing 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), the compound that gives eucalyptus its distinctive aroma and therapeutic value.

There are only about a dozen or so species that are used to produce eucalyptus oil, but all plants in the genus produce it to some degree.

In addition to eucalyptol, the oil may contain citronellal, citronellol, citronellyl acetate, eucamalol, limonene, piperitone, and terpinene, with exact amounts varying by species and growing location.

Eucalyptus essential oil has antimicrobial, fungicidal, insecticidal, and nematicidal properties and is prized in pharmaceuticals, perfumery, home products, and even food.

The trees are a key resource in pulpwood production because they grow quickly and produce wood with fibers well-suited for making paper and other goods. They’re also used to make dyes.

Europeans began distilling eucalyptus oil shortly after settling in Australia, with the first recorded distillation in 1788.

Today, eucalyptus is found throughout tropical and subtropical regions across the globe. In the United States, seeds were introduced to California and other warm locales for use as timber, windbreaks, and firewood.

While eucalyptus became especially popular in California, it’s now considered problematic in some areas. The trees are messy and burn like kindling during wildfire season.

But in their native range, that flammability is a survival trait. Many species have seeds that can survive and germinate after an inferno.

Others develop lignotubers, large, woody swellings at the base to protect the roots from fire damage. Known as mallees, these eucalyptus tend to remain shrubby.

How to Grow

Most Eucalyptus species are easy to grow provided you give them the right conditions. Let’s take a look:

Light

These trees prefer at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. While there are a few exceptions, aim to plant in a full sun location.

Soil

The soil should be sandy, loamy, or a combination, with a slightly acidic pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Avoid planting in clay soils.

If your garden doesn’t offer excellent drainage, it’s best to choose something other than a eucalyptus. Most species can’t tolerate wet roots.

There are a few species that can handle soggy conditions, but they’re rare in cultivation.

Water

When the tree or mallee is young, keep it watered. I know these trees have a reputation for loving dry conditions, but they need moisture when they’re young.

When the top one or two inches of soil dry out, add more water. Once established, they can withstand long periods of drought, but they’ll be much healthier with regular watering.

These trees do better with more water than many gardeners realize. Check the soil regularly and when the top three inches feel dry, give the plant a deep, thorough soaking.

Well-watered plants are better equipped to resist pests and disease.

Fertilizer

Eucalyptus trees thrive in depleted soil so there’s no need to apply fertilizer, unless you do a soil test first and feed according to the recommendations.

You can get your soil tested through your local extension office or you can buy a home test kit.

Container Cultivation

If you want to grow eucalyptus in a container, choose a vessel that’s five gallons or larger. The size of the pot will limit how big the plant can grow.

Just keep in mind that if you plan to move it indoors for the winter, the container needs to be manageable enough to move through doorways.

Species to Select

Most of the popular species are somewhat hardy, though many will die back to the ground in a freeze.

Here is just a sampling of the excellent options that are out there:

Black Sallee

Whether you spell it black sallee or black Sally, E. stellulata is a standout with dark gray bark on the lower part of the trunk and smooth olive green bark above.

The juvenile leaves are elliptical and remain that way even when the tree matures.

This species can reach up to 50 feet tall, but it also grows as a smaller mallee form.

It’s also one of the hardier species, growing in Zones 7 to 11.

Blue Gum

Blue gum (E. globulus) is one of the most common species in cultivation and it comes in a wide variety of shapes and sizes – from trees growing 150 feet tall to shrubs that barely top 15 feet, depending on the climate and conditions.

The bark is typically smooth and cream-colored. The juvenile leaves are egg-shaped, becoming lance-shaped and curved when mature.

It needs a bit more water than many other species and grows in Zones 7 to 11.

Black Peppermint

Black peppermint eucalyptus (E. nicholii), also known as willow peppermint, has long strappy leaves when mature and gives off a distinct peppermint fragrance.

Its dense growth habit has made it a popular ornamental worldwide. Sadly, it’s threatened in its native habitat of New South Wales as a result of habitat destruction.

It typically grows to about 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide in Zones 8 to 11.

Cider

Hardy in USDA Zones 8 to 11, and occasionally in Zone 7 in sheltered locations, cider gum (E. gunnii) typically grows to about 50 feet tall. In frost-free regions it can exceed 100 feet over time.

In colder climates, this Tasmanian native often dies back to the ground in winter but resprouts from the base in spring, sometimes growing six feet or more in a single season.

Juvenile leaves are heart-shaped and glaucous, while mature foliage is lanceolate and bluish-gray. The smooth bark peels in patches, revealing white, pink, or gray tones.

Messmate

Messmate or stringybark eucalyptus (E. obliqua) is one of the largest species, capable of reaching 300 feet tall or more.

Omeo Gum

Omeo gum (E. neglecta) is hardy to Zone 6b or even 6a if you put it in a protected area near a south-facing brick or cement wall.

Otherwise, you can pretty much neglecta this tree. It can tolerate heavy clay or light sand, needs no feeding, and tolerates serious drought.

The attractive, young pink stems and leaves gradually transition to the classic silvery tone that we associate with the genus. As the tree matures and develops elongated foliage, the bark becomes shaggy.

Rainbow

Named for the multi-hued trunk, rainbow eucalyptus (E. deglupta) is a bit different from its drought-tolerant cousins.

It’s one of the few that isn’t native to Australia, hailing from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. It’s also unusual because it grows in rainforests.

As the orange bark sheds, it peels off in long strips, revealing gray, pink, purple, orange, red, and green hues underneath.

Rainbow Eucalyptus

You need a lot of space for this tree, since it grows up to 80 feet tall and 30 feet wide. In addition to space, you also need the right climate. Grow it in Zones 9 to 11.

You can find this stunning option in a variety of sizes available at Fast Growing Trees.

Silver Dollar

One of the most popular ornamental species, E. cinerea can reach 50 feet or more in its native range or warm climates.

In cooler areas, it usually tops out around 15 feet. It can survive temperatures below 20°F, but the crown often dies back in freezing conditions, limiting height.

This tree excels in heat and shrugs off high temperatures that send most gardeners indoors. It can also survive extended dry spells without irrigation.

Silver Dollar

Named for its round, blue-hued juvenile leaves, silver dollar is a favorite for cut arrangements. Mature foliage becomes more elliptical.

Fast-growing and low-maintenance, it’s best suited to Zones 8 to 10.

You can find silver dollar available at Fast Growing Trees.

Alternatively, you can find silver dollar seeds available at Eden Brothers.

Silver-Leaved Mountaingum

Silver-leaved mountaingum (E. pulverulenta) is typically a shrubby mallee that tops out at 30 feet. It’s a popular option for ornamental cultivation and commercial use in cut arrangements.

The gray-brown bark peels off in strips revealing the smooth, gray wood underneath. The leaves are heart or egg-shaped throughout the life of the shrub, and are exceptionally fragrant.

If you love eucalypts for their scent, this one should be a top choice if you live in Zones 8 to 11.

‘Baby Blue’ is a particularly lovely cultivar, with blue-tinted leaves.

‘Baby Blue’

You can find ‘Baby Blue’ available in a variety of sizes at Fast Growing Trees.

If you prefer to start from seed, you can find packets available at Botanical Interests.

Maintenance

These trees tend to drop branches randomly, so avoid planting above patios, walkways, or other gathering spots.

If you prefer the look of the juvenile foliage, you can coppice the plant regularly to keep it producing the disc-like foliage.

This involves cutting all aboveground growth down to a short stump, or stool, just a few inches tall.

From this, juvenile shoots will form. You can let these grow as long as the leaves remain round, but as the tree matures, they’ll elongate. That’s when you need to coppice again.

This is the same technique commercial growers use to produce stems for cut arrangements.

Outside of coppicing, pruning is only necessary if a branch breaks, looks weak, or shows signs of disease or pest damage. Since these trees have a habit of dropping limbs, remove anything that looks like it might fall.

In colder regions where the plant dies back to the ground in winter, prune off the dead aboveground material once it has fully died.

Propagation

Eucalyptus doesn’t propagate well from cuttings or grafting, and we recommend leaving any attempts to the experts. That’s okay, they are easy to start from seed.

From Seed

Seeds germinate best in warm conditions, ideally between 75 and 80°F, though they will still sprout at lower temperatures.

Expect germination in about two weeks under ideal conditions, and a bit longer if it’s cooler.

In areas with year-round warm soil, you can direct-sow seeds outdoors. Otherwise, it’s best to start them indoors in pots and transplant them once the weather warms up.

1. Use four or five-inch pots filled with a standard, well-draining, water-retentive potting mix.
2. Moisten the soil so it feels like a well-wrung-out sponge, and sow the seeds about a quarter of an inch deep.
3. Place the pots on a heat mat and under grow lights or in a sunny window with at least six hours of direct light per day. You can cover the pots with plastic or a humidity dome to retain moisture.
4. After the seeds sprout, remove the cover if you used one and keep the soil evenly moist as the seedlings grow.

When outdoor soil temperatures are consistently around 70°F you can harden off the seedlings in preparation for transplant.

Transplanting

Whether you start your own seedlings or purchase young trees at a reputable nursery, the next step is to put them in the ground.

Dig a hole the same depth and a bit wider than the container the plant is currently growing in.

Gently remove the plant from its existing container and loosen up the roots.

Lower the plant into the hole and backfill with the removed dirt.

Water well to settle the soil and rehydrate the roots. If the soil settles too much, add more. The plant should be sitting at the same height it was in the growing container or just an inch or two higher.

Pests and Disease

While you can never underestimate a hungry herbivore, deer, squirrels, and rabbits typically won’t bother eating eucalyptus.

If you have wandering koalas in your yard, you might need to watch out.

Otherwise, problems tend to come from the insect pest front:

Insects

The most serious eucalyptus pests originated in Australia and have become invasive in the US.

Management options are still limited for some species, so your best defense is prevention and keeping trees healthy enough to tolerate occasional infestations.

Longhorned Borer

The eucalyptus longhorned borer (Phoracantha semipunctata and P. recurva) arrived in California in 1984.

The adults are over an inch long, narrow, with long antennae and orange-tan bodies with black markings.

The females lay eggs that hatch into larvae, and it’s these that you need to worry about.

They tunnel into the bark to eat the cambial layer and cause girdling and oozing wounds that disrupt the flow of the sugars and nutrients through the plants.

Over time, an infestation can kill a plant. Longhorned beetles have added to the reputation Eucalyptus has for fueling wildfires, since they can kill trees and leave behind highly flammable dead wood.

Parasitic wasps (Avetianella longoi) were imported from Australia to deal with the larvae and they do a good job of controlling an infestation. But they aren’t readily available to home growers. Check with your extension office to see if they’re for sale in your locality.

In the absence of wasps, prune off heavily infested branches and burn, bury, or chip them. These pests can also survive in firewood, so store it in a covered or enclosed area whenever possible.

Keep your trees in good health, with a focus on watering appropriately.

Psyllids

Psyllids are sap-sucking insects that use their straw-like mouthparts to feed, leaving a sugary excretion called honeydew behind. There are multiple species that will feed on eucalyptus.

The adults are small flies with elongated bodies with a yellow, tan,or green hue. The nymphs are red, bronze, black and may have white spots. They secrete a waxy substance to protect themselves.

This honeydew can attract sooty mold, which reduces photosynthesis. On top of that, the feeding causes leaf drop. After a few years, a heavy infestation can kill a tree.

Snout Beetles

The eucalyptus snout beetle (Gonipterus scutellatus) hitched a ride from its native Australia and was first detected in California in 1995.

The adult is tan and brown with big round eyes on top of a distinct snout. The larva is grayish-brown and about a half inch long, resembling many other weevil species.

The adults feed on the edges of the leaves and the larvae get to work on the entire leaf, leaving just the veins behind.

Once again, parasitic wasps (Anaphes nitens) to the rescue. They can control outbreaks by parasitizing the eggs.

You can treat your tree using the beneficial bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis v. kurstaki (Btk).

Bonide Thuricide

You can find Bonide Thuricide which harnesses Btk available at Arbico Organics.

Spray the tree weekly.

Disease

If grown in the right conditions, eucalyptus trees are generally problem-free.

But stressed plants may become vulnerable to diseases like canker or leaf spot. Powdery mildew is mostly cosmetic and rarely causes serious harm.

Canker

Botryosphaeria canker is a worldwide problem that infects numerous species, including all of those in the Eucalyptus genus.

Fungi in the Botryosphaeria genus targets stressed trees, damaging the cambium and sapwood and disrupting water and nutrient flow.

Symptoms include yellowing or browning leaves, shoot dieback, and dark lesions on the trunk or stems.

The fungus gets into a tree through injuries, whether that’s pruning, insect feeding, or broken branches.

If your tree is infected, prune off any symptomatic branches and then spray monthly with copper or mancozeb.

Bonide Copper Fungicide

You can find a pound or four pounds of Bonide Copper Fungicide at Arbico Organics.

Leaf Spot

Fungi in the Mycosphaerella and Teratosphaeria genera cause leaf spot on eucalyptus. While often mistaken as cosmetic, these infections can be serious.

Symptoms begin as red discoloration, followed by necrotic patches. Infected leaves may die and fall, and severe defoliation can slow growth or even kill the tree.

To prevent it, avoid overhead watering and keep the plant healthy.

If your tree is infected, you can prune off the worst areas but there’s no cure. You’ll need to support the plant the best you can, and if it becomes completely defoliated, it’s best to remove it from your garden.

Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew is a fungal disease caused by pathogens in the Erysiphe genus.

It doesn’t typically cause enough damage to worry about, but if you can’t stand the look of it, read our guide to powdery mildew to learn more.

You Can Succeed With Eucalyptus

If you live in a region where eucalyptus can thrive, you’re in for something special.

The striking bark, distinctive foliage, and unforgettable scent make these trees truly unique. And once established, they’re very low-maintenance.

Which Eucalyptus species will you be growing and how do you plan to use it? Share your ideas in the comments section below.

And for more landscape trees to grow in your warm climate, check out these guides next:

• How to Grow and Care for Southern Magnolia Trees
• How to Grow and Care for Willow Oak Trees
• How to Grow and Care for Palm Trees