Eucalyptus isn’t just a showstopper in the garden. Those gorgeous, silvery-blue leaves look absolutely stunning as houseplants, too! With a few simple tricks, you can keep your eucalyptus at the perfect size and keep it thriving for years to come.
Finding the Perfect Spot and Caring for Your Eucalyptus
When it comes to location, eucalyptus is a total sun-worshipper. In the Australian outback, it gets all the light it can handle, so you’ll need to mimic that in your home. If it doesn’t get enough bright light, the leaves will start to droop pretty quickly. Make sure you pick a spot that’s both sunny and warm.
As for watering, keep it consistent but don’t go overboard. These plants hate “wet feet,” and standing water can really mess with the roots. When spring rolls around and the growing season kicks off, give it a little fertilizer for about a week, but that’s it! Avoid fertilizing the rest of the year. Too much food can overwhelm the roots and eventually cause those pretty leaves to wither.
Since a pot has fewer nutrients than the open ground in your garden, your indoor eucalyptus won’t grow nearly as fast—which is actually exactly what you want! While these trees can soar to 100 feet in the wild, you don’t have to worry about your houseplant hitting those heights.
Don’t Be Afraid to Prune Regularly
To keep your eucalyptus from taking over the room and to maintain that lovely shape, you’ll need to prune it regularly. I recommend a heavy prune in the spring before the new growth starts. After that, you can do light “haircuts” whenever you want to maintain the shape. If you end up making any large cuts, it’s a good idea to use a plant wound sealer to keep it healthy.
Quick Tips for Pruning Your Indoor Eucalyptus:
- You can prune houseplants year-round.
- A heavy cut actually encourages healthy, bushy growth.
- Don’t worry about being too aggressive; the plant bounces back easily even after a radical pruning.
- Just be careful not to disturb the roots while you’re working!
If the pot starts looking a little cramped for the root system, it’s time to repot. Be extra gentle during this process—try not to damage or trim the roots, as eucalyptus can be a bit sensitive about its root ball.
If your plant is still in its “teenage” growth phase, it’ll need regular repotting. Most pros recommend doing this once a year. When repotting, try using a mix of standard potting soil and a bit of coconut coir (coco humus). This blend gives your eucalyptus the perfect head start in its new home!
