With its exotic look and stunning colors, the Rainbow Eucalyptus is a total favorite for bonsai lovers. If you’ve ever wanted to grow one of these beauties yourself, you’re in the right place! I’m going to show you how to cultivate and train this tree so it stays small, lush, and healthy for years to come.
Growing a Rainbow Eucalyptus Bonsai
The Rainbow Eucalyptus is a real standout in the eucalyptus family. Its claim to fame is that incredible multicolored bark—which is exactly where it gets its name. While these trees can tower over the landscape in the wild, a Rainbow Eucalyptus grown as a bonsai stays at a manageable houseplant height.
You can buy a pre-trained Rainbow Eucalyptus bonsai at a nursery, but growing your own from scratch is super rewarding. It does take a bit of patience, the right pruning technique, and some consistent TLC. But don’t worry—once you know the basics, looking after these trees is actually pretty straightforward.
Step-by-Step Training
- Trim the trunk of a young plant to your desired height.
- Leave just a few main branches to start your shape.
- Prune the roots, but make sure to keep a few strong ones intact.
- Use bonsai wire to gently guide the plant into your chosen shape.
- Repot it into a shallow bonsai pot.
- Water regularly, but be careful to avoid “wet feet” (standing water).
The Perfect Spot and Care Tips
Your Rainbow Eucalyptus bonsai loves a warm location. Make sure it gets plenty of direct sunlight; even indoors, these trees are sun-worshippers. If it’s too dark, you’ll notice the leaves starting to droop or even turning brown.
To keep it looking like a true bonsai, you’ll need to stay on top of pruning. Rainbow Eucalyptus are fast growers, so don’t be afraid to reach for the shears! They handle radical pruning quite well and will sprout new growth before you know it. Also, keep an eye on the roots—if they start getting cramped, it’s time for a bigger pot. Most gardeners find that young trees need repotting about once a year.
