Potted Eucalyptus Plant Care
Discover the secrets to keeping your potted eucalyptus plants happy and healthy in the comfort of your own home. With proper care, these stunning plants can add a touch of freshness and fragrance to any room.
How to care for the gorgeous potted eucalyptus plant
Eucalyptus has always held a special place in my heart – its refreshing aroma never fails to transport me to a serene and peaceful state. I’ve had my fair share of lavender and eucalyptus essential oils, but it’s the visual appeal that keeps me coming back for more. In fact, I still have some dried eucalyptus springs in a jar from years ago, which may no longer emit a scent but remain a lovely decorative piece.
The allure of eucalyptus extends beyond its fragrance, as it also adds a touch of elegance to any room. When I stumbled upon a live potted eucalyptus plant at my local nursery, I knew I had to have it. Years later, I continue to add more potted eucalyptus plants to my summer garden, and this article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of how to care for these beautiful plants.
Potted eucalyptus care overview
Most species of eucalyptus are endemic to Australia, with popular varieties such as baby blue, silver dollar, and lemon bush. In order to thrive, these plants demand abundant sunlight, making it essential to position them in the sunniest areas of your garden. When growing eucalyptus indoors, finding a spot that receives sufficient natural light is crucial; if this isn’t possible, supplementary lighting can be used to mimic the effects of direct sunlight.
Eucalyptus are surprisingly resilient and able to withstand dry spells, with watering schedules allowing the soil to dry slightly between sessions. For outdoor cultivation, eucalyptus prefer USDA zones 8-11; in colder regions, it’s necessary to provide winter protection by bringing them indoors. To promote a long and healthy life for your plant, regular fertilization, pruning, and repotting annually are essential maintenance tasks.
Interestingly, dried eucalyptus leaves can be preserved through air-drying or soaking in glycerin, allowing you to enjoy their unique aroma and beauty for years to come.
What is eucalyptus?
The charm of eucalyptus lies not only in its botanical identity but also in the experience of witnessing one thrive in real life. While they may appear straightforward, these plants possess a unique beauty that sets them apart. The Eucalyptus genus comprises hundreds of species within the Myrtaceae family, with many of these native to Australia – a fact that I rediscovered during research for this article.
In fact, three-quarters of Australia’s forests are comprised of eucalyptus species, a testament to their widespread presence in the country. The unique ability of some eucalyptus species to survive and regrow after wildfires has allowed them to adapt to fire-prone environments. This remarkable resilience is a prime example of nature’s ingenuity. With successful introductions into similar climates, it’s no wonder that eucalyptus has become a staple in many regions.
While they can thrive year-round in certain climates like California, they do present challenges when grown outdoors in colder climates like my home state of Maryland. For this reason, I’ll be focusing primarily on the art of growing eucalyptus in pots, an approach that’s accessible and suitable for a variety of climates.
What is the most common eucalyptus?
While there are many types of eucalyptus available, I’m familiar with three common varieties that you might find at your local nursery. The first is the ‘baby blue’ eucalyptus (Eucalyptus pulverulenta), which is a popular choice among florists due to its distinctive color and long-lasting cut stems. This variety retains its lovely scent thanks to the waxy coating on its leaves, making it a great option for arrangements.
Another common variety is the ‘silver dollar’ eucalyptus, which has a slightly different appearance than the baby blue type but can be difficult to tell apart when not side by side. The final variety I’ve encountered is the ‘lemon bush’ eucalyptus, which boasts a pleasant lemon scent and adds a bright touch to any setting. These three varieties may look similar at first glance, but each has its own unique characteristics that set it apart.
How much light does a potted eucalyptus plant need?
Indoor struggles were real when I first brought home my little eucalyptus plant. The highest lit area in the house was where I initially placed it, but unfortunately, it didn’t thrive. It survived for a few weeks until the warmer weather allowed me to move it outside. Eucalyptus plants are known to require substantial light levels – think at least half a day of direct sunlight or full sun exposure.
While they can tolerate lower light conditions for short periods, prolonged darkness will hinder their growth. The good news is that they’re relatively resilient and won’t immediately wither away in poor lighting. Just be aware that depriving them of bright light for extended periods isn’t ideal. When given the right environment, eucalyptus plants make fantastic potted accent pieces on sunny balconies or patios.
How to water a potted eucalyptus
Eucalyptus plants have developed remarkable resilience to thrive in Australia’s diverse climates, where conditions can be both harsh and variable. This evolutionary background is crucial for their care. For instance, their drought tolerance is a direct adaptation to the country’s arid and hot environment. By mimicking this natural habitat, we can allow the soil to dry out between waterings, preventing root rot.
However, container-grown plants will lose moisture faster than those in gardens or beds, so ensure the potting mix is thoroughly damp before watering. The timing of watering also matters – during late spring, for instance, frequent watering isn’t necessary, but in the peak heat of June, July, and August, soil can dry out quickly. A daily soaking may be needed to keep plants happy. It’s essential to understand your local climate and how rapidly your plants lose moisture.
If you underwater your eucalyptus plant, leaves may turn pale and shrivel, making them irrecoverable. Conversely, if you notice a few shriveled leaves, it simply means your plant needs more attention to its watering needs. By keeping the soil at an optimal level of moisture, you can prevent further issues.
What is the best soil?
When it comes to soil for your eucalyptus plant, look for a well-draining and loose potting mix that retains some moisture without becoming waterlogged. I’ve found Fox Farm’s soil mix to be an excellent choice, as it’s lightweight, nutrient-rich, and provides great value with its generous bag size. While it may be a bit pricier than other options, the quality is well worth the investment.
If budget is a concern, you can still opt for any standard potting soil designed for potted plants, confident that it won’t overwhelm your eucalyptus’s roots.
What is the best temperature?
For eucalyptus to thrive, you’ll need to be situated in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 11. This means that for most of the United States, the plants won’t survive outdoor conditions during winter. When temperatures dip below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, your plant’s well-being is at risk. To ensure its safety, move it indoors before the mercury falls. However, if you bring it inside without proper care, such as adequate light or humidity, your plant may struggle.
If that’s the case, consider moving it to a spot with bright natural light or investing in a grow light. Regular misting will also help maintain humidity levels. While this might cause some initial discomfort for your plant, it should recover once spring arrives. Alternatively, you can choose to prune and utilize your eucalyptus for arrangements at the end of its growing season.
This approach allows you to treat potted eucalyptus as annuals in your garden, replacing them with new plants each spring that will go on to flourish throughout the summer.
Fertilizing, pruning, and repotting
To keep your eucalyptus thriving, regular fertilization is crucial during its active growth period. Opt for a low-nitrogen, low-phosphorus, high-potassium fertilizer, such as 10-30-10 or 10-10-10 concentrated formulas that can be diluted in water. This type of fertilizer will promote healthy growth and robust leaf production. In addition to fertilization, eucalyptus plants require occasional pruning and repotting to maintain their shape and size.
You can simply trim the tips of your plant if it becomes unruly or add a stake to encourage upward growth while it’s still young. If you’re growing your plant year-round, perform any major pruning in the spring when it can recover quickly. For shape maintenance or to take cuttings for arrangements, I prefer to snip mine throughout the spring and summer. As your eucalyptus grows, repotting every few years with fresh potting soil is necessary.
Timing-wise, this should occur in the spring, with a good rule of thumb being to provide an extra inch or two of growing space by upsizing the pot. A pot that’s too large can lead to excess soil and water retention issues. If you’re growing your plant as an annual, you may need to repot it during the summer if it’s growing rapidly.
What size pot is best?
When selecting a container for your eucalyptus, prioritize one with proper drainage. The holes will allow excess water to escape, preventing overwatering and root rot. This is especially crucial as the plant grows. Additionally, be mindful of the potential consequences of keeping your plant in a round pot for extended periods. Roots can become circularly bound around the shape of the container, making it challenging to transplant to a larger pot without causing harm.
In this case, air pots offer an excellent solution for eucalyptus plants destined for growth and eventual transfer to bigger containers.
What are air pots?
Air pots offer a solution to prevent the issue of root circling and binding, which can be detrimental to the health of your eucalyptus plant. As the roots grow rapidly, they will continue to follow this pattern even after transplanting into a larger pot, ultimately hindering new growth. This type of root-bound growth can lead to the decline of your plant as it grows, with the root system unable to support its expansion and provide optimal growth.
Air pots are specially designed containers made from plastic, featuring bumps and patterns that encourage the roots to spread and grow naturally, unlike traditional pots which can cause circling. While I don’t use air pots for my eucalyptus plants as I treat them as annuals, it’s an important consideration for those in certain climates or with specific goals.
How to cut and preserve eucalyptus
When it comes to preserving eucalyptus branches, one effective method is to cut and dry them upside down. This process is similar to how other herbs are dried, where stems are cut off, bundled together, and hung to air-dry. The result is a lovely, dried arrangement that resembles the ones commonly found in craft stores.
For those who prefer to preserve individual leaves rather than entire branches, gently removing them from the stems and pressing them between two paper towels can be an effective approach. This method, detailed in my article on crafting with greenery and resin, allows for precise control over the drying process. Alternatively, you can dry eucalyptus leaves in a glycerin solution to preserve their pliability and enhance their natural color.
The resulting leaves will have a leathery texture and maintain some of their original vibrancy. For a step-by-step guide on this process, please refer to my tutorial, ‘How to Dry Eucalyptus’.
In conclusion…
Mastering the art of caring for a eucalyptus plant requires some trial and error, but the sense of accomplishment that comes from watching it flourish makes all the effort worthwhile. By understanding the distinct needs of these stunning plants, we can bring a touch of their native Australian environment into our gardens and homes. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out, eucalyptus is a delightful addition to any plant collection.
And for those who want to dive deeper, check out the accompanying guide for expert tips and advice!
