Growing Eucalyptus Indoors is not difficult. Follow the given instructions and have this aromatic plant in your home.
Native to Australia, where most species grow like a tree and some are like a shrub. It is considered evergreen, but the tree loses its leaves. There are more than 500 species of eucalyptus; for home gardeners, varieties like E. globulus or Globe Eucalyptus are generally referred to. The foliage starts as light green oval-shaped and turns dark green with age. In its native habitat, it can grow up to 60 feet (18 m.) tall, but it can be indoors as well.
Very hardy outdoors, you can grow potted eucalyptus trees in containers until they get too large. After that, they can be moved to the backyard. It grows quite fast and can be planted as annuals. If grown from seeds during spring, the tree will reach up to 8 feet high in one season.
This tree has been used for ages to treat many types of diseases. The foliage of this plant contains tannins that enhance healthy fluids in the air passage of the human body. Just inhaling the scent of this plant helps in lowering congestion issues and preventing cough & cold.
Botanical Name: Eucalyptus spp.
USDA Zone: 8-10
Fact: Eucalyptus is included in the top 10 plants by NASA, which boosts indoor air quality.
How to Grow Eucalyptus in a Pot
Varieties of Eucalyptus
There are many varieties available that are suitable for indoor gardens. Some gardeners try argyle-apple (Eucalyptus cinerea), silver-dollar gum (Eucalyptus perriniana), lemon-scented gum (Eucalyptus citriodora), mountain gum (Eucalyptus dalrympleana), and Eucalyptus globulus, or Globe Eucalyptus.
Propagation
From Seeds:
In warm climates, eucalyptus grows fast in poor soil conditions and reseeds itself. Though some eucalyptus varieties need cold stratification, the types that require cold stratified are:
- E. regnans
- E. stellulata
- E. nitens
- E. pauciflora
- E. perriniana
- E. niphophila
- E. goniocalyx
- E. kybeanensis
- E. mitchellana
- E. glaucescens
- E. fastigata
- E. elata
- E. dives
- E. delegatensis
- E. debeuzevillei
- E. dalrympleana
- E. coccifera
- E. amygdalina
For cold stratification of eucalyptus tree seeds, mix 1 teaspoon (5 ml.) of seeds with 2-4 tablespoons (30-45 ml.) of filler such as vermiculite, perlite, or sand. Keep the seeds moist by placing them in a ziplock pouch and place them in the refrigerator for three to six weeks. After that, you can sow the seeds along with filler.
Sow the seeds in spring or late spring in some climates in the pasteurized soil medium, place in a shady area and cover with white plastic. After some maturity, move the plant to small pots. You can directly sow the seeds into the container so the plant continues to grow in it.
From Cuttings:
Growing eucalyptus from seeds is the easiest way compared to cuttings, but you can try this as well by following the given instructions:
Select a 4-inch (10 cm.) long mature stem with at least one budding leaf in June/ July and dip the bottom tips in rooting hormone for 20-30 seconds. Fill the pot with perlite and place the cutting into it, set the pot into the saucer filled with water, and cover the pot using a plastic bag and place in a warm location.
Keep the rooting cuttings in temperatures 80-90 F (27-32 C.), maintain the moisture, and in four weeks or so, the cutting will root and be ready for transplantation.
Container Size
This plant needs good drainage; the plant is quite drought-tolerant and can survive if dry out than standing in wet soil. Use a large, cone-shaped, air pot with drainage holes in the bottom.
Ideal Growing Conditions for Eucalyptus Indoors
Location
Eucalyptus likes plenty of sunlight, either bright indirect light or full sun. Place the plant on the patio in a sunny, sheltered area where you can easily water it.
Soil
Use a loose, porous, well-drained potting mix that conserves moisture and supports roots without holding a lot of water. You can prepare a potting mix of one part loam, two parts sand, and one part peat moss.
Water
Eucalyptus plants are drought tolerant, but container-grown plants dry more quickly compared to outdoor plants. Keep the soil moist by watering until water ooze from drainage holes. Also, let the soil to dry out between watering.
Eucalyptus Plant Care
Fertilizer
Use a low-nitrogen fertilizer; during springs, a single application of 10-30-10 or 10-10-10 will be sufficient.
Pruning
Prune the plant during spring to control the size of potted trees and keep them in the desired shape. Remove any broken or dead branches.
Repotting
Repotting can be done every two to three years in spring, always use fresh potting soil at the time of repotting.
Pests and Diseases
When grown indoors eucalyptus is safe from the attack of pests and diseases.
Preserving Eucalyptus Leaves
Remove the stems and hang the leaves upside down in the shaded area. You can also place the leaves on a paper towel till they are dry and crisp. After that, store the fragrant leaves in an airtight jar.