Eucalyptus trees are a popular choice as an outdoor plant, defined by a bracingly refreshing aroma and stunning green foliage. They’re a unique choice for gardens, patios and other outdoor spaces, being relatively low-maintenance and easy to look after. However, that doesn’t mean that eucalyptus care can be treated as a second thought – understanding the basics and more advanced points is vital to keeping your eucalyptus trees healthy.
This is a simple yet effective guide to caring for a eucalyptus plant, so you can feel confident that your plant will stay beautiful in sight and smell for years to come.
Sunlight requirements
Eucalyptus plant care, much like care for many other plants, is largely defined by your ability to offer the trees the right amount of sunlight. These plants need 6-8 hours of light every day, with a lack of sunlight leading to insufficient growth and a lack of good foliage. They can manage partial shade but full sun is always best.
Soil requirements
Care for eucalyptus trees is similar to care for other trees in terms of soil – keeping things moist, yet well-drained. If the soil is too waterlogged or moist the tree will suffer root rot. In terms of pH level, eucalyptus care requires the soil to be of a slightly acidic to neutral pH level, somewhere between (6.0-7.5).
When it comes to the soil itself, you should opt for something lighter, such as a sandy or loamy soil – heavier clay soils will retain too much moisture to properly care for eucalyptus plant types. If you follow these guidelines, your eucalyptus shouldn’t need any sort of additional fertiliser, although it can be added in the early stages if using low-quality soil. Similarly, container-grown eucalyptus is more likely to need additional feeding.
Soil watering requirements
Eucalyptus trees need a lot of water in their early years, allowing them to properly establish their root systems. It’s important to pick a pot that’s large enough to accommodate a significant root system, while also having good enough drainage to avoid waterlogging the roots.
Once your trees are totally established they are fairly drought-resistant, so you don’t have to water them that often. However, they need an occasional deep watering during longer dry periods.
Temperature and humidity requirements
Eucalyptus trees require slightly warmer climates and temperatures, which can be a little hard to navigate with the UK’s natural weather profile. However, you should be able to find more Brit-accustomed trees from mainland sellers. They can generally tolerate moderate humidity, which should be fairly easy to manage in the UK.
When the winter comes around, it’s important to protect container-grown eucalyptus trees from frosts. While they’re fairly hardy, they aren’t generally cut out for harsher British winters.
Pruning requirements
Pruning is part of eucalyptus care as it is for most garden trees and bushes. Eucalyptus pruning is an essential step to maintaining the shape and size of the tree, ensuring it upholds a pleasant aesthetic and doesn’t affect other plants. Make sure to only back to 3 buds, otherwise you can jeopardise future growth. Eucalyptus can be somewhat invasive, so it’s good to keep it at bay from the rest of the garden. It’s also important to remove dead or damaged branches as they start to show up.
Finding the right eucalyptus tree
Eucalyptus care starts with choosing the best possible plant, which means going to a reliable supplier with a good reputation for selling high-quality products. The best providers will also be able to give you specific advice for the plant that you’re purchasing.
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