As long as you follow their rules, eucalyptus trees do very well in containers. A version of this article first appeared in the 2020 issue of “Ramblings of a Gumnut.”
Looking for a well-behaved standard eucalyptus for a container? Our 9 litre E. archeri plants look great in pots, but don’t forget to buy them with an air-pot to keep their roots healthy.
Eucalyptus plants are beautiful, unique houseplants that originate from Australia. With their wispy, rounded juvenile leaves and aromatic properties, eucalyptus plants can be an excellent addition to both indoor and outdoor spaces. However, to keep your eucalyptus houseplant healthy and maintain its juvenile leaf growth, proper care is essential. One important aspect of eucalyptus care is repotting. Repotting allows room for growth and provides fresh soil and nutrients. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn everything you need to know about how to repot a eucalyptus plant successfully.
When to Repot
Eucalyptus houseplants grow rapidly and can outgrow their pots quickly As a general rule, eucalyptus plants should be repotted once a year in the spring. However, some faster-growing varieties may need repotting twice a year The best time to repot is when you notice roots growing out of the drainage holes or the plant becomes root-bound. Root-bound plants may start to wilt more frequently or show signs of slowed growth. Repotting in the spring allows the reestablished roots time to grow through the summer season.
How Often to Repot
- Repot juvenile eucalyptus annually each spring before growth starts.
- Fast-growing varieties may need repotting twice per year.
- Move the plant to a container 2 sizes larger than its current pot.
Signs It’s Time to Repot
- Roots are visible through the drainage holes
- Plant is root-bound
- Growth has slowed
- Leaves are wilting more frequently
- Plant is unstable or tipping over
Transition Slowly to Avoid Shock
When repotting your eucalyptus plant, go up just one or two pot sizes at a time to avoid shock from too much new space. Shock can cause leaf curling, wilting, or plant decline. A sudden jump to a much larger pot size can also cause issues with soil moisture. A gradual move to a slightly larger pot is ideal.
The Repotting Process
Follow these simple steps for repotting your eucalyptus houseplant
Gather Supplies
- Eucalyptus houseplant
- New pot (2 sizes larger than current)
- Potting mix – Use a well-draining mix designed for container plants. Mix in perlite or sand to improve drainage.
- Scoop or trowel for repotting
- Pruning shears to trim roots if root-bound
Remove from Current Pot
- Tip the plant sideways and slide it gently from its pot.
- Loosen the root ball and trim any circled or tangled roots.
Prepare New Pot
- Fill the new pot about 1/3 full with potting mix.
- Place the eucalyptus root ball in the center. The top of the root ball should sit just above the level of the potting mix.
Backfill with Potting Mix
- Hold the plant straight and fill in around the roots with more potting mix.
- Pack the soil gently but firmly to anchor the plant.
- Leave 1-2 inches at the top of the pot free of soil.
Water Thoroughly
- Water well until it drains from the bottom holes. This helps settle the soil.
- Let excess water drain fully before returning the plant to its saucer.
Potting Mix for Eucalyptus
The potting mix you use for repotting eucalyptus is very important. A good eucalyptus potting mix should:
- Drain well to prevent overwatering
- Retain some moisture to avoid under-watering
- Provide nutrition
- Have an acidic pH (5.5-6)
You can make your own mix by combining
- 1 part peat moss
- 1 part perlite or sharp sand
- 1 part organic potting soil
- Slow-release fertilizer granules
Or purchase a specialized orchid or ericaceous potting mix.
Choosing the Right Pot for Eucalyptus
Selecting the right pot for your eucalyptus houseplant is key to healthy roots and growth.
Use a Pot with Drainage Holes
Ensure the new pot has adequate drainage holes to prevent waterlogged soil. Cover holes with mesh or stones to keep soil in.
Avoid Decorative Pots Without Drainage
Place plastic nursery pots inside decorative containers to allow drainage while maintaining a stylish look.
Use Air Pots for Healthy Roots
Air pots with ridges prune roots through air exposure. This stimulates new root growth and improves health.
Weight the Pot Down
Add pebbles or stones to the pot to weight it down and prevent tipping.
Caring for Eucalyptus After Repotting
Give your newly repotted eucalyptus houseplant proper care to help it recover quickly:
- Place in bright, direct light. Southern exposure is ideal.
- Water thoroughly right after repotting to settle soil.
- Allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings.
- Fertilize monthly during spring through fall.
- Keep away from hot/cold drafts and temperature fluctuations.
- Prune as needed in spring after new growth emerges.
Troubleshooting Issues After Repotting Eucalyptus
Problem | Cause | Solution
Select the right pot
All of our trees are grown in Air-pot containers. The Air-pot ‘air-prunes’ the roots, encouraging new roots to grow, which in turn keeps the foliage looking healthy. If you want to plant your Eucalyptus in the ground later, you should not use traditional pots or grow bags with smooth walls.
If you need to pot up your tree, the general rule is to make the pot at least four times its volume. For example, a 3 litre airpot would go into a 12 or 20 litre airpot. The larger sizes are more flexible, and a 30 litre can go into a 100 litre.
Once re-potted, you can place your Euc inside a heavy ornamental container with drainage holes. Ornamental pots are both advisable and aesthetic; Eucs in metal or blue pots look particularly stunning.
As long as there is at least 30 mm of space between the air-pot and your decorative pot, you can keep pruning the roots and your Euc will stay active.
Your snazzy container confers several properties on the system:
- By adding weight to the base, it keeps the tree from falling over in strong winds.
- Reduces water evaporation and therefore stress to the tree.
- Protects the roots from extreme weather.
- In the summer, it keeps the roots cooler because black pots can get very hot.
No matter what kind of eucalyptus pot you choose, make sure it sits squarely on top of a solid flagstone that is much wider than the pot base. This will keep any roots that get stuck from going into the ground. Moving the pot and breaking a sneaky tap-root can cause your tree some serious stress!.
Choose the best Eucalyptus species
Of course, you can grow any Eucalyptus tree in a pot—we do it here! But we’ve found that some species do better in pots for long periods of time than others.
Dwarf and medium sized species are the best candidates, as they tend not to race away. When trained, multistem specimens give excellent pots due to their stability and broader form.
How to Grow and Care for Eucalyptus
How often should you repot a eucalyptus tree?
An established eucalyptus tree can withstand heavy pruning. Repot a eucalyptus plant every two or three years. To encourage more growth, transfer the eucalyptus plant to a pot one or two sizes larger than its current one. If you want to maintain its growth size, remove the eucalyptus plant from its pot and change the potting mix to refresh it.
How to care for eucalyptus plants outdoors?
Whether you’re growing them in your garden or in containers, here are some essential care tips: 1.**Sunlight and Location**: – Choose a **sunny spot** for planting eucalyptus outdoors.Ensure it receives
How do you repot a eucalyptus tree?
To repot, gently remove the tree from its current container and loosen the roots. Then, place the tree in a new container with fresh potting mix and water thoroughly. When growing eucalyptus in pots, it’s important to ensure the tree is not too dry or too wet.
Do eucalyptus plants need repotting?
Since potted eucalyptus plants grow fairly quickly, they often need a bit of pruning and repotting. You can nip the ends off of your plant if it’s getting too unruly, or you can add a stake in and help it grow up while it’s still small (otherwise it will grow out and take over a lot of surface area).
