Eucs can be grown as potted plants or tub plants, although they generally do not make good long-term pot subjects. They grow so fast that they can outgrow their pots and become leggy very quickly. The larger the pot is, the longer the euc will last – I suggest using at least a 10 – 12 gallon pot, or better yet, a half-whiskey-barrel. Once the euc gets too large for its pot, it ought to be discarded rather than planted in the ground, because of the problems associated with planting large or potbound eucs as mentioned elsewhere on the page (see Eucalyptus growth rate and the importance of planting small). Therefore it is important to decide very early on whether you wish to grow your euc as a permanently potted plant or a permanent landscape subject, rather than changing your mind after it is too late.
If you intend to keep your euc permanently as a potted plant, you need not be so choosy as to what to look for when selecting one. Even if the euc is slightly overgrown or rootbound, it does not matter so much since you do not need it to be extremely vigorous. If you want it to last as long as possible, I would suggest using a smaller species such as E. vernicosa, E. kybeanensis or E. gregsoniana.
Eucs in pots must never be allowed to go completely dry. Although many euc species are very drought tolerant once established in the ground, this is not the case when they are growing in pots. The soil may be very nearly dry and the euc will be fine, but if it becomes completely dry the plant will shrivel very quickly. Usually once they begin to wilt, the wilted foliage will not regrow – if the whole plant wilts, it may die. This can happen very quickly so the amount of soil moisture should be monitored closely. Do not flood the pot for very long though, because like any other potted plant it is also possible to overwater them.
Eucs demand a great deal of light when grown indoors – even as outdoor plants, very few of them will tolerate shade (see Choosing a Eucalyptus for your site and climate). This can make them difficult to accomodate indoors, especially over the winter in cool rainy climates. They should be placed in the brightest possible place, such as a sunny south-facing (or north-facing, in the Southern Hemisphere) window. (A sunroom or greenhouse is even better.) Potted eucs can also be moved indoors for the winter and moved back outside for the summer (which is convenient in climates too cold to grow them outdoors permanently). However if they are moved from a bright shady spot into full sun, the leaves will scorch just like any other plant.
If a potted euc is left outside over the winter, it will be less hardy than the same species grown in the ground. It will still be able to toelrate some frost, but care should be taken not to leave it out during a very severe freeze.
These estimates for how long Silver-dollar eucalyptus takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.
Average days | Min days | Max days (0)
Average days | Min days | Max days (0)
Average days | Min days | Max days (0)
Eucalyptus tree first came to Europe in 1850 and has since spread to many parts of the world. The leaves are known to contain a medicinal oil which is at the same time both a disinfectant and an expectorant. It is ofter used in cough medicines and throat pastilles, as well as salves and liniments to relieve arthritic and muscular pains.1
Some Eucalyptus are said to have been planted in malaria-filled swamps with the result that the eucalyptus roots and large leaves have used up so much water that the swamp has dried out, and with it the nursery pools for the mosquito larvae.1
Silver gum
Eucalyptus cordata Labill.
http://www.angelfire.com/bc/eucalyptus/eucgrowing.html#15
fn1: Success with House Plants