With its striking bark and gorgeous foliage, the Rainbow Eucalyptus is a total showstopper that has gardeners all over the world falling in love. While it looks exotic, you can actually grow or propagate this beauty yourself with a little patience and the right know-how. Here is everything you need to know to get started.
Planting Rainbow Eucalyptus Seeds
The Rainbow Eucalyptus is a unique member of the Eucalyptus family. It’s famous for its multi-colored bark that changes hues as it peels—hence the name! If you want to grow one of these colorful giants, you have a few options. If you’re lucky enough to have a tree that is already producing fruit, you can harvest the seeds yourself. Otherwise, you can easily find them online or at specialty garden centers.
How to prep your seeds for success:
- Store seeds in the refrigerator for one week.
- Prepare a pot with high-quality substrate.
- Place the seeds directly on top of the soil.
- Move the pot to a bright, warm spot (68°F to 75°F).
- Water regularly, but make sure to avoid soggy soil.
- Give the seeds about three to four weeks to sprout.
- Repot once the seedling reaches about 4 inches in height.
When planting, keep two important things in mind: First, these seeds need a “cold snap” to wake up, so don’t skip that week in the fridge! Second, Eucalyptus seeds are light-germinating. This means you shouldn’t bury them under the dirt; just press them onto the surface so they can soak up the sun.
Care and Maintenance
When it comes to watering, Rainbow Eucalyptus prefers “soft” water. Rainwater or filtered tap water is your best bet. For nutrients, you can mix a little coconut humus or starter soil into your potting mix. During the active growing season, you can fertilize for about a week, but be careful not to overdo it. This tree is sensitive to over-fertilization, which can quickly lead to brown leaves.
Keep an eye on the root system. You’ll want to repot for the first time once the plant hits that 4-inch mark. If you aren’t planting it directly in the ground, plan on moving it to a larger container once a year to give those roots plenty of room to roam.
