Blue gum
Eucalyptus globulus · Myrtaceae
📷 Murray Fagg · CC BY 3.0 au
⚠️ Feuilles riches en eucalyptol : leur ingestion peut provoquer salivation, vomissements, diarrhée, abattement ou faiblesse chez chiens et chats. L’huile essentielle concentrée est plus risquée.
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around blue gum and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, lanceolate, blue-grey and aromatic
- Flowering
- Spring to summer, white or cream flowers in clusters
- Adult size
- 20 m tall, upright and pyramidal habit
- Growth
- Very fast, can gain 1 to 1.5 m per year
- Hardiness
- Moderate, down to around -8 °C
- Origin
- Australia (New South Wales)
- Soil type
- Well-drained, light to chalky, dislikes waterlogged conditions
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Eucalyptus fears prolonged cold and hates excess water: plant in very well-drained, warm soil, ideally at the base of a south-facing wall. Water only in the first year, avoid watering afterwards.
The common mistake
Watering regularly or planting in heavy soil: roots rot in winter and the tree suddenly declines, especially if there's frost.
The pro's trick
Prune early (1-2 years) to force branching and create a bushy habit: without this, it becomes a spindly single trunk that's not very attractive.
Care
Watering
Water regularly during the first year to encourage root establishment. Once established, eucalyptus tolerates drought well. In containers, let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. Absolutely avoid waterlogging, which causes root rot.
Light exposure
Eucalyptus requires maximum light: place it in full sun for at least 6 to 8 hours per day. The more intense the light, the denser and more aromatic the foliage will be. Insufficient light weakens the plant and slows its growth.
Pruning and training
Prune lightly in spring to maintain a compact form or encourage branching. Eucalyptus tolerates pruning well. Young plants benefit from early pruning to shape their structure. Remove dead or diseased branches as needed.
Soil and planting
Plant in well-drained soil, ideally light and slightly acidic to neutral. Eucalyptus dislikes compact, clayey soils. In containers, use a mixture of potting soil and sand to ensure optimal drainage. Check that the pot's drainage is excellent.
Fertilising
Fertilise moderately in spring and early summer with a balanced or low-dose fertiliser. A plant in rich soil requires little or no additional feeding. Avoid excess nitrogen, which can weaken cold resistance.
Diseases and pests
Eucalyptus is generally robust. Monitor for scale insects and spider mites indoors or in greenhouses. Excessive humidity can encourage fungal development. Ensure good air circulation and avoid wetting the foliage when watering.
Did you know?
Eucalyptus globulus is native to Australia, where koalas feed on it exclusively. In Europe, it was planted extensively in the 19th century to drain marshes and combat malaria, making it emblematic of the Mediterranean region. Its leaves contain a potent essential oil, widely used in aromatherapy and folk medicine for its respiratory properties.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- MyrtleMyrtus communis
- MānukaLeptospermum scoparium
- Strawberry guavaPsidium cattleianum
- Snow gumEucalyptus pauciflora
- Woolly TeatreeLeptospermum lanigerum
- Thymeleaf melaleucaMelaleuca thymifolia
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.