| Common Name | Eucalyptus |
| Genus | Eucalyptus |
| Species | various |
| Family | Myrtaceae |
| Life Cycle | Long lived tree or shrub in frost free areas. Treated as annual or tender woody perennial. |
| Tray Size | 125 |
| Plug Care | Transplant within 2 weeks of arrival, or bump up into a larger cell until you can transplant. Keep warm. |
| Netting / Staking | No netting or staking necessary |
| Temperature Range | Should be kept above 55F in the seedling stage. Treat as you would tender annuals. |
| Spacing | 6" if grown for one season, 12-18" in frost free environments. |
| Soil Preference | Well-drained soil of medium fertility. |
| Day Length | Not Applicable |
| Pinching | Pinch plants when they are 3-4" tall if they are not naturally branching. |
| When to Plant | Spring or early summer, once soil is above 55F. |
| Harvesting | Young growth can be prone to wilting. Allow growth to "harden" on the plant before cutting. Generally, harvest in late summer. |
| Post Harvest Care | A hydrator and conditioning in the cooler may help if you are having trouble with wilting. Store in plain water, or in a holding solution. |
| Diseases / Insects | Mildew and botrytis can be problems in wet/damp conditions. Increase airflow. |
| Bailey's Notes |
Most Eucalyptus seed is harvested in its native Australia. Due to the increase in frequency and severity of Australian bush fires in recent years, the seed supply is dwindling worldwide. We secure as much seed as we can, but expect limited availability indefinitely. Consider growing in a high tunnel if you can keep it frost-free. Eucalyptus is slow to establish in its first year, but if you can keep it alive it will grow very rapidly in its second and third years, providing taller and more abundant cutting material. Cut back hard in the fall. Keep on the dry side during winter. |
| Resources | Eucalyptus for Cut Foliage Fact Sheet (downloads as .pdf) |
*In-depth Growing Guide coming soon*