Complete care information is available in our Guide to Eucalyptus Houseplants.

Eucalyptus is a challenging houseplant. It demands plentiful sunlight and many varieties need to experience sharply cooler temperatures in the winter.  This delicate young houseplant will swiftly become a large tree.  Eucalyptus gunnii (cedar gum) is a popular plant and suitable to grow indoors temporarily, but you should be aware that your plant will probably outgrow your home in a few years. Other dwarf cultivars and species can grow indoors for as briefly as a year and up to about five years.

Light:

Strong direct light is crucial to maintaining a healthy plant with good leaf color. Full sunlight (at least 6 hours per day), from a southern exposure is best. This is not a good plant to try to grow in a low-light situation or without the right light direction; it will deteriorate quickly.

Water and Humidity:

Water thoroughly, until water comes out of the bottom drain hole. Then let the soil nearly dry out before you water again. If it is hard to judge soil moisture, a water meter stuck down into the soil may help you get a good care routine established. In winter, the plant needs a period of less water. If the container doesn't have a drain hole, or if the saucer under the plant isn't emptied after watering, the root system will stay too wet and the plant will decline rapidly.

Typical household levels of humidity are fine for this plant and no additional misting is needed.

Temperature:

Normal home temperatures in the 65 to 75ºF. range are ideal. Keep it away from heat and air conditioning vents and drafty doors and windows. It is sensitive to rapid temperature changes. In winter, temperatures should be lowered  to around 45 to 50ºF, from November through February, for many types of Eucalyptus sold as houseplants, including Eucalyptus gunnii.

Re-potting:

Your Eucalyptus is a fast-growing tree. It will need to be re-potted every spring and some faster growing varieties may need re-potting twice a year. Move the plant to a container with a drain hole, one or two sizes larger than the last one and use equal parts of an organic potting soil, perlite or sharp sand for drainage, and peat moss. Some types of Eucalyptus need mildly acidic soil.  Make sure that you get the entire root structure covered with potting mixture. Many Eucalyptus problems develop when keeping the plant in a decorative container without a drain hole.

Nutrition:

Feed your plant once a month, in spring to fall, with an organic houseplant food.

A Winter Rest:

In the winter, hardy Eucalyptus like E. gunnii will need a rest period with very little water, no food and lower temperature, about 45 - 50 ºF. It will lose its vigor without the rest.

- Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service