Eucalyptus is a popular plant known for its fragrant foliage and medicinal properties. With its blue-green leaves and aromatic scent, eucalyptus can be an attractive addition to floral arrangements or home decor. However, there has been some debate among gardeners about whether eucalyptus needs to be in water to thrive. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll examine if eucalyptus requires being submerged in water, the benefits and risks of putting it in water, recommended care tips, and the best practices for keeping your eucalyptus healthy.
An Overview of Eucalyptus Plants
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of over 700 species of flowering trees and shrubs belonging to the myrtle family. Most eucalyptus varieties are evergreen meaning they keep their leaves year-round. They are native to Australia and neighboring islands but are grown worldwide today.
There are three main types of eucalyptus plants:
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Tree forms – Grow over 33 feet tall with rough, peeling bark. Common varieties include Tasmanian blue gum and Sydney blue gum.
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Mallee forms – Grow as woody shrubs under 33 feet tall with multiple stems near ground level. Eg. Eucalyptus vernicosa.
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Marlock forms – Multi-stemmed shrub varieties under 13 feet tall. Ex Eucalyptus preissiana
Eucalyptus is highly valued for its medicinal essential oils timber and ornamental qualities. The leaves produce a distinctive, menthol-like aroma that can help clear sinus congestion. Eucalyptus oil is also used as an insect repellent.
Does Eucalyptus Need to Be Submerged in Water?
Many people mistakenly believe eucalyptus needs to be kept in water at all times, like cut flowers. However, this is not necessary for eucalyptus to grow and thrive. Here are the key facts:
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Eucalyptus prefers moderately moist, well-drained soil. It does not require soggy or waterlogged soil.
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Excessive watering can lead to root rot, fungus, and other damaging conditions.
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While eucalyptus can tolerate temporary flooding, it should not be fully submerged for extended periods.
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Certain swamp-dwelling species like Eucalyptus camaldulensis are more adapted to wet feet. But most eucalyptus do best in drier soil.
Therefore, while periodic moisture is important, eucalyptus does not need to be continually standing in water. Careful watering and drainage are better strategies for healthy plants.
The Benefits and Risks of Putting Eucalyptus in Water
Placing eucalyptus in a vase can be useful for floral arrangements or aromatherapy uses. But this practice also carries some risks, especially if left too long. Here are the key benefits and drawbacks:
Benefits
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Helps cut eucalyptus branches last longer before drying out
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Allows time for the oils to diffuse into the air for aromatherapy
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Provides hydration after transplanting newly potted eucalyptus
Risks
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Promotes bacterial growth and slimy film on leaves
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Causes leaves submerged in water to rot and fall off
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Leads to root rot if potted eucalyptus is left overloaded with water
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Encourages fungal diseases like leaf spot, rust, and powdery mildew
While briefly placing eucalyptus in water can be useful, it’s best not to leave it submerged more than 2-3 days. Change the water frequently to stop bacteria from building up.
Caring for Eucalyptus: Watering Tips
Caring for your eucalyptus properly is the best way to keep it thriving without needing to be in standing water. Here are some key care tips:
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Water 1-2 times per week, allowing the soil to partially dry out between waterings.
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Water at the soil level rather than overhead to keep leaves dry and prevent disease.
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Ensure pots and in-ground planting areas have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
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Reduce watering frequency in rainy seasons or winter dormancy.
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Mist eucalyptus leaves occasionally to increase humidity.
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If root rot occurs, transplant to new soil and water sparingly until recovered.
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For cut eucalyptus, change the vase water every 2-3 days and remove rotting leaves.
Proper watering technique is important for eucalyptus health. Monitor soil moisture and adjust your schedule based on the weather and season.
Best Practices for Keeping Eucalyptus Looking Its Best
Follow these tips for keeping your eucalyptus vibrant and healthy without needing to be submerged:
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Plant in loose, sandy soil amended with compost for drainage.
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Choose a sunny location, getting at least 6 hours of direct sun daily.
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Stake tall varieties and young trees to protect from wind damage.
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Prune back dead branches and shape overgrown plants after flowering.
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Apply balanced fertilizer in spring to encourage new growth.
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Protect from frost and freezing in winter if grown outside its hardiness zone.
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Bring potted plants indoors before temperatures drop below 30°F.
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Watch for pests like psyllids, gall wasps, and eucalyptus longhorn borers.
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Propagate new eucalyptus from cuttings using rooting hormone.
With proper site selection, soil preparation, watering, and care, your eucalyptus will thrive without needing to be submerged. Pay attention for signs of stress and adjust care as needed.
Troubleshooting Common Eucalyptus Problems
If your eucalyptus displays any of these issues, it likely indicates a problem with its growing conditions:
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Drooping or wilting leaves – This signals underwatering. Check soil and water if dry beneath the surface.
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Yellowing leaves – Can indicate overwatering, poor drainage, or nitrogen deficiency.
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Leaf drop – May be caused by too much water, or normal seasonal shedding.
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Root rot – Caused by soggy soil. Improve drainage before replanting.
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Leaf spots/blight – Fungal issue exacerbated by wet leaves and humidity. Improve air circulation and use fungicide.
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White powder on leaves – Powdery mildew fungus. Apply sulfur fungicide treatment.
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Chewed leaves – Pest damage. Identify the culprit and apply appropriate treatment.
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Leaf curl – Usually indicates drought stress. Water more frequently.
Quick diagnosis and adjustment of growing conditions can help correct these common eucalyptus problems before they become severe.
Achieving the Healthiest Eucalyptus
While eucalyptus has developed a reputation as a thirsty, water-loving plant, it does not need to be continually immersed in water. In fact, soggy soil is more likely to harm its health. Follow these core tips for beautiful, vibrant eucalyptus without keeping it flooded:
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Select an ideal sunny, well-drained planting spot.
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Water thoroughly only when the top several inches of soil become dry.
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Ensure pots and gardens have sufficient drainage.
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Limit vase time to 2-3 days for cut eucalyptus stems.
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Watch for signs of water stress and disease issues.
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Adjust watering frequency based on climate and seasonal needs.
With the proper soil preparation and attentive care, your eucalyptus will flourish. Its naturally drought-resistant properties make it an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens and floral designs.
Grow Eucalyptus in Your Garden
Who else gets a natural boost of energy when they smell eucalyptus? Me too. But sometimes, fresh eucalyptus can be hard to find.
When you learn how to grow eucalyptus in your own garden, you’ll have access to a plant that can help your health in many ways.
There are over 700 species of eucalyptus, most of which are native to Australia. But luckily, there are varieties that will grow in the Midwest, too. I grow silver dollar eucalyptus, baby blue eucalyptus, and lemon eucalyptus because they are the most common and easy to find types. You can find them at Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods.
In the Midwest, I start my eucalyptus seeds in February. Seeds are hard to come by, so if you want to grow eucalyptus, get your seeds early so you can start the plants on time. Your eucalyptus might seem to grow very slowly compared to your other flowers and vegetables when you first put it in your garden. But even if the plants look thin or sparse at first, by late summer or early fall, they should be full and ready to be picked.
There is dried eucalyptus for sale almost everywhere, and I know that many growers dry it right away. But I think you should eat it fresh for as long as you can.
Once you clip your eucalyptus stems, put them directly in a vase of water. Remove any stems or leaves below the waterline of the vase to avoid deterioration.
If you’re using a clear vase, you will notice the water turns visibly brown after several days. Go ahead and freshen up that water after a few days. The eucalyptus is naturally steeping into the vase water, essentially making a eucalyptus tea. Even though it’s not dangerous and won’t hurt other flowers, brown water in a vase doesn’t look very nice.
Putting water in first gives you another chance to live the garden to table lifestyle, even if you plan to dry your eucalyptus so you can enjoy it for a long time. After cutting down eucalyptus trees, putting the fresh clippings in water helps them dry more slowly and keeps the leaves from getting wrinkled while they’re drying. The eucalyptus will actually dry on its own right in the water. Take the water out of the vase when the eucalyptus has dried out on its own, which should be in 10 to 14 days. Or just let the water evaporate!.
How to Hang Dry Eucalyptus
Here are some quick steps you can follow if you just want to dry your eucalyptus and not put it in the vase first:
- Trim the eucalyptus to the length of your preference.
- Place a bunch of leaves on a cool, dark, dry surface and tie some string or twine around the base of each leaf. Hang the bunch upside down by the string. I’ll sometimes turn on my seedling fan to help the air flow.
- In about 2-3 weeks, the eucalyptus should be dry
There have been times where I’ve just laid it out flat and let it dry on its own. Even though the leaves got a little wrinkled, you can still hang them in the shower or use them to make essential oil.
The Benefits of Eucalyptus
FAQ
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