Koalas aren’t the only ones who love eucalyptus plants. These fragrant plants are easy to grow and multi-purpose—a favourite for your home. Are you planning on growing a eucalyptus plant for yourself? Learn about plant care, growing, and creative ways to use eucalyptus in your home.
Eucalyptus plant care basics
- Well-drained, acidic to neutral soil
- Sun-loving
- Water regularly when top soil dries
- Feed with a low-nitrogen liquid fertiliser every few weeks in the spring
- Propagate with seeds, grafting, or cuttings
- Toxic to humans and pets if ingested
While reaching nearly 18 metres tall in its native Australia, the eucalyptus stays manageable in gardens, typically reaching 2-3 metres high. The potted plant will stay even smaller. The leaves have a silvery to blue-green colour and emit a distinct menthol-like fragrance when bruised.
You may also be interested in: How to grow roses: A quick month-by-month guide to growing roses
Lighting
Eucalyptus plants love the sun, so settle your plant in a spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Indoors, this could be on a north-facing windowsill.
Soil
Although not very picky, eucalyptus plants need soil with good drainage. If planting your eucalyptus in a container or pot, use a well-draining potting mix.
Watering
Avoid leaving your eucalyptus plant dry for too long a period. This may cause leaf drop (and a sad plant parent). Check the soil moisture by inserting your finger into the soil and feeling for dryness at your fingertip. A good rule of thumb is to water weekly.
Feeding
A eucalyptus plant growing in a container will deplete its nutrients. Fertilise with a slow-release nitrogen fertiliser, like Wonder Plant Booster All Purpose, or an organically based growth stimulant, such as Wonder All Purpose Plant Food.
Creative ways to use eucalyptus plants in your home
Eucalyptus offers more than stunning greenery. Explore the many ways to incorporate its fragrance and benefits into your home. Harvest the mature leaves and branches from your plant later in the growing season. If you only need the leaves, you can simply snip them off with pruners or by hand. Air-dry them on a paper towel or drying screen in a cool spot away from direct sunlight. After the leaves become slightly leathery or crispy, place them in glass jars with tightly sealed lids for storage.
Air freshener
Select healthy, fragrant eucalyptus leaves. If the stems are long, you can trim them with scissors to a manageable length. Gently gather the leaves together, forming a loose bunch. Secure them tightly with a piece of string or twine, creating a loop at the top for hanging.
Hang your eucalyptus bundle upside down in a well-ventilated area where the fragrance can disperse. Opt for a location with good air circulation, such as near a doorway or window.
Over time, the intensity of the scent will naturally fade. To maintain the fragrance, periodically rotate the bundle or gently crush the leaves to release additional essential oils. When the leaves become dry and brittle, replace them with a fresh bunch.
Eucalyptus in the shower
The warmth of the shower helps activate the oil compounds in fresh eucalyptus. Having a bunch of eucalyptus hanging in your shower allows these compounds to be released into the air, so you can inhale the aromatic properties while you enjoy your daily scrub.
Similarly to above, choose 4-12 healthy eucalyptus stems, removing any leaves at the end. Tie the stems together with twine, rubber bands or rope. Loop rope around the back of the shower head so there is no direct water flow on the leaves. You’ll need to replace this bouquet every 3 weeks.
You may also be interested in: Winter indoor plant care: What every plant parent needs to know
Dried eucalyptus leaves
The leaves of eucalyptus plants can be air-dried by hanging the stems upside down in small batches. Once dry and crispy, place the eucalyptus leaves in a glass jar and seal. If you want to amp up the smell of your dried leaves, spray with water or oil.
You can use your dried leaves to decorate a vase, craft a DIY eucalyptus wreath or table garland, turn your preserved leaves into bath salts, or use them in a tea. Although you cannot eat fresh eucalyptus leaves, dried leaves can be made into tea. Fresh eucalyptus leaves are toxic if ingested by humans or pets, but they are not poisonous to touch.
