Eucalyptus trees are large-flowered trees and shrubs with pleasant peeling bark and aromatic leaves. Eucalyptus plants produce gumnuts, which are the fruit of certain types of Eucalyptus trees. Eucalyptus trees are native to Australia, but they can be found in other parts of the globe’s tropical and temperate zones.
Eucalyptus trees may grow to be 330 feet (100 meters) tall. Eucalyptus trees may reach a height of 33 feet (10 meters). Houseplants of eucalyptus may be kept in containers and thrive. Eucalyptus plants, on the other hand, are swiftly expanding shrubs and trees that may quickly overrun your indoor area.
Eucalyptus trees grow at a pace of 8 feet (2 meters) per year. You’ll learn more about the most popular eucalyptus trees in this article. Eucalyptus shrub and tree species can be identified by descriptions and pictures of eucalyptus tree leaves, flowers, and bark.
Facts About the Eucalyptus Plant
Eucalyptus plants come in over 700 distinct varieties, ranging from small to tall trees. The colorful bark of the rainbow eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta), lemon eucalyptus plant (Eucalyptus citriodora), and silver princess gum tree (Eucalyptus caesia) are examples of common species of eucalyptus trees.
The myrtle family, Myrtaceae, includes plants from the genus Eucalyptus. Although Australia is home to the majority of eucalyptus trees, they can be found in a variety of other North and South American, Asian, and European countries. Eucalyptus tree leaves have a strong fragrance, and essential oils are made using the oil extracted from the leaves. One of Australia’s most famed bears, the koala bear, feeds on eucalyptus leaves as a source of food.
Growing Eucalyptus Plants
Eucalyptus trees and shrubs grow quickly in full sun and require little care. Most eucalyptus trees can’t survive below 10°F (-12°C) in their natural environment. USDA zones 8 to 11 are home to the majority of eucalyptus trees. However, in zones 10 and 11, certain species like the rainbow eucalyptus are cold-hardy.
Eucalyptus trees are popular houseplants that bloom well indoors. In a single season, seedlings of potted eucalyptus may grow up to 8 feet (2 meters). Eucalyptus houseplants should be grown in a well-draining potting medium, which is in full sun. Bring potted eucalyptus inside before the first frost if you grow it outside in the summer on a patio.
Eucalyptus Tree Leaves
The leaves of eucalyptus trees range in form, depending on the tree species and maturity. The leaves of immature eucalyptus trees, on the other hand, may be more rounded and dull grayish-green. Yet, among the hundreds of eucalyptus species, eucalyptus trees have a wide range of leaf types. The aromatic fragrance of all eucalyptus plant leaves is present. Eucalyptus leaves have a minty pine scent with undertones of sweet honey, according to those who smell them. Eucalyptus shrubs are a valuable commercial plant because of the aromatic oils they produce.
Eucalyptus leaves are quite decorative. They’re especially popular for use in dried flower and plant arrangements because of this. On square stems, eucalyptus leaves develop in pairs and develop opposite to each other. Dried eucalyptus stems and leaves are extremely popular because of this growth attribute. On five-sided stems, some of the most appealing eucalyptus leaves form a spiral. The leaves on eucalyptus trees are among the most gorgeous of any kind of evergreen tree, since they change shape throughout development and the leaf patterns vary.
Eucalyptus leaves may be dried and used as a decorative element in your house. Tie the stems of the plant together in a bunch and hang them upside down to dry. Just snip off the stems and hang them. Older eucalyptus leaves become tougher, while younger eucalyptus leaves become crunchy.
Eucalyptus Tree Bark
Depending on the species, eucalyptus tree bark varies in appearance from smooth to farrowed and multicolored. Since old bark dries and sheds every year, eucalyptus trees have smooth bark in general. The multicolored bark of several eucalyptus species, such as the rainbow eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta), is fascinating. Stringybark is fibrous, tough bark with deep furrows, or flaky bark like cork. Other eucalyptus species include stringybark.
Eucalyptus Tree Flowers
Eucalyptus plants may be found in a range of colors, including fuzzy eucalyptus flowers. Due to the abundance of stamens growing in a circle, the unusual eucalyptus blooms have a fuzzy appearance. White, cream, yellow, pink, and bright red blooms may be found on eucalyptus plant trees.
Eucalyptus Tree Identification
Eucalyptus trees’ strongly scented leaves are the most distinguishing characteristic. Eucalyptus trees, on the other hand, have appealing growth that may help differentiate types of eucalyptus trees. Mallee eucalyptus, marlock or moort eucalyptus, and mallet types of eucalyptus are the three principal varieties of eucalyptus trees. The three types of eucalyptus trees and shrubs may be identified as follows:
How to Identify Mallee Eucalyptus Tree Types
The mallee growth pattern of eucalyptus trees is distinctive. Multiple stems grow from the ground level of this type of eucalyptus shrub. Eucalyptus mallee trees normally grow to be 33 feet (10 meters) tall. The mallee’s lignotuber, a swollen root seen just above the ground, is another distinguishing characteristic.
The trees are protected from fire by this lignotuber, which speeds up their recovery. Many eucalypt species’ distinctive mallee growth is due to regrowth after bush fires.
How to Identify Marlock Eucalyptus Tree Varieties
The oval, lime-colored leaves of marlock eucalyptus trees make them easy to identify. Marlock trees have a short stem with thick foliage that frequently touches the ground. Little trees or large shrubs, marlock eucalyptus plants are small. A marlock eucalyptus is the round-leaved moort (Eucalyptus platypus).
How to Identify Mallet Types of Eucalyptus Trees
The solitary thin stem and upward growing branches of mallet eucalyptus trees may be recognized. The crown of these trees spans wide, while the thickets of their leaves grow. The red-spotted gum tree (Eucalyptus mannifera) and the sugar gum tree (Eucalyptus cladocalyx) are two examples of mallet eucalyptus trees.
Type of Eucalyptus Trees (With Pictures)
Eucalyptus trees come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Eucalyptus Rainbow (Eucalyptus deglupta)
The multicolored smooth bark of eucalyptus trees (Eucalyptus deglupta) is spectacular. Eucalyptus Rainbow trees reach a height of up to 30 feet (100 meters). The large, fragrant evergreen trees emit the distinct eucalyptus fragrance and have lance-shaped leaves. Rainbow eucalyptus trees thrive in the tropical environment and get plenty of sunlight.
Rainbow eucalyptus trees are also known as rainbow gum trees because of their multicolored bark. Orange, purple, blue, and maroon stripes appear on the smooth orange bark as it peels away. Due to its huge conical crown that spreads up to 100 feet (30 meters) this eucalyptus species is an outstanding shade tree.
In USDA zones 10 and 11, Eucalyptus Rainbow trees thrive. Eucalyptus rainbow tree leaves are Lance-shaped and can grow to be up to 6 inches (15 cm) long. The rainbow tree eucalyptus leaves have a strong fragrance when crushed, as do all eucalyptus leaves.
White and light yellow eucalyptus flowers (Eucalyptus deglupta) When mature, the tiny fruit looks like a half-sphere and is known as a capsule. It is brown in color.
Eucalyptus rainbow flowers
When young, Eucalyptus rainbow fruit is green (left), but once it matures, it becomes brown (right).
Eucalyptus Baby Blue (Eucalyptus pulverulenta)
Little evergreen trees or spreading shrubs with a blue color (Eucalyptus pulverulenta). They’re eucalyptus trees with beautiful, ornamental branches that grow quickly. The blue-gray rounded leaves of baby blue eucalyptus plants are a distinctive feature. Atopple stems run parallel to each other, with egg-shaped leaves growing in pairs.
The buds, fruits, and leaves are covered in a powdery white substance. ‘Florist silver dollar,’ and ‘silver-leaved mountain gum,’ are two other names for eucalyptus species that are suited for dried flower arrangements.
Eucalyptus baby blue trees or shrubs may grow to be up to 30 feet (9 meters) tall. Zones 8-11 are ideal for eucalyptus trees. Oval, heart-shaped, or egg-shaped leaves make up the Eucalyptus baby blue leaves. The leaves are 2 inches (5 cm) long and broad, with a bluish-gray hue.
Eucalyptus baby blue blooms are clusters of creamy-white fuzzy blooms that grow between the oval leaves.
Baby blue eucalyptus blooms
Eucalyptus Silver Drop (Eucalyptus gunnii)
Eucalyptus silver drop trees feature smooth bark, oblong leaves, and tiny flowers. They are young trees of the eucalyptus species E. gunnii With a canopy of thick foliage that forms a conical shape, silver drop eucalyptus trees may grow up to 115 feet (35 meters) tall.
The silver drop has exfoliating bark, as do most eucalyptus species. The cider gum tree is another name for Eucalyptus silver drop. In zones 8 to 10, the long-lived, fast-growing tree thrives in full sun or partial shade. Silver drop leaves have a beautiful ornamental form that makes them perfect for flower arrangements.
When the tree is young, its silver drop leaves are heart-shaped and rounded. The leaves have a glaucous (grayish-green) color when they’re young. The leaves become oblong, lance-shaped, and grow up to 3.5 inches (9 cm) long as the tree ages.
Eucalyptus silver drop mature leaves and flowers
Silver Princess Gum Tree (Eucalyptus caesia)
Eucalyptus caesia, a young silver princess gum tree, is a kind of eucalyptus with weeping growth. Eucalyptus trees, which may grow up to 45 feet (14 meters) tall and live for 150 years, are known as fast-growing silver princess eucalyptus trees. As the tree grows, the bark becomes smoother and flakes off. It is reddish-brown. Pendulous red blooms dangle between the drooping leaves of silver princess gum trees.
The leaves of the silver princess eucalyptus tree are oval to start with, and as the tree develops, they become lance-shaped. The long, pointed leaves may curl and grow up to 4 inches (10 cm).
Silver princess eucalyptus tree blooms in clusters of three mature leaves. Due to the clusters of dark pink-red stamens with yellow tips, the dangling flowers appear hairy.
Silver princess gum flowers
Silver princess gum fruit
Lemon Eucalyptus Tree (Eucalyptus citriodora syn. Corymbia citriodora)
Lemon eucalyptus trees (Eucalyptus citriodora / Corymbia citriodora) are tall trees with white bark and citrusy-smelling leaves. This decorative tree has a straight trunk that branches out to make a wide canopy and is also known as the lemon-scented gum tree.
Dense clumps of leaves grow at the ends of the branches, giving the gum tree’s foliage a prickly appearance. Between 80 and 130 feet (24 and 40 meters) tall, lemon-scented gum trees can be found. Thin flakes of white, pink, or copper bark fall from the tree. White and fairly inconspicuous flowers bloom on lemon gum trees.
The essential oil citronella is extracted from lemon eucalyptus bark. As little egg-shaped lemon eucalyptus tree leaves develop into long, oblong leaves with a lance shape, they become longer and broader. When crushed, the leaves of this tree produce a strong lemon odor.
Mature lemon eucalyptus leaves (left) and fruit (right)
Silver Dollar Eucalyptus Tree (Eucalyptus cinerea)
The silvery, rounded leaves of the young silver dollar eucalyptus tree look like a silver dollar. This eucalyptus tree, which grows to around 20 to 50 feet (6 to 15 meters) and has a rounded crown, is also known as the Argyle apple. The ornamental value of the attractive, aromatic silvery foliage is prized.
Silver dollar eucalyptus trees thrive in full sun and are cold-hardy in zones 8 to 11. Their young leaves are silvery. Grow this eucalyptus as a shrub indoors in the winter in chilly climates for its foliage. When young, silver dollar eucalyptus tree leaves are spherical and silvery blue-green in color.
Leaves on mature eucalyptus trees become a deeper green and have a long, narrow form as the tree grows. This is an distinguishing characteristic of many mature eucalyptus trees.
Eucalyptus dollars mature leaves, flowers, and fruit
Sugar Gum Tree (Eucalyptus cladocalyx)
The sugar gum tree (Eucalyptus cladocalyx) has brilliant green leaves with a discolored look on the top surface and a pale green underside. Its bark is yellow or smooth orange. With branching halfway up the tree, sugar gums may reach 115 feet (35 meters) in height.
Sugar gum trees in the summer produce clusters of seven to eleven buds with white hairy blooms. Sugar gum tree leaves are lanceolate green leaves that may grow up to 7 inches (17 cm) long. The discoloration on the oblong, pointed leaves of this eucalyptus tree species can be used to identify it.
Sugar gum trees and bark
Sugar gum fruit is a popular treat in South America.
Red Spotted Gum Tree (Eucalyptus mannifera)
The red-spotted gum tree has smooth gray bark with flaking reddish patches and is also known as the brittle gum. Red-spotted gum trees, like other mallet eucalyptus species, have a lignotuber that swells like a tree trunk and can reach 82 feet (25 meters) tall. Eucalyptus trees in USDA zones 9 to 11 thrive on this species.
Green, lance-shaped leaves that may sometimes become curved make up the red spotted gum tree bark.
Red-spotted gum leaves
Red spotted gum fruit
Round Leaved Moort (Eucalyptus platypus)
Moort (also known as maalok) is a eucalyptus tree species with a mallee or marlock growth habit. It grows like a young tree. The glimmering green leaves of moort eucalyptus trees, which are round or oval in shape even when they mature, are a distinguishing characteristic.
These smooth coppery-brown barked eucalyptus trees yield creamy-white, yellowish, or pink blooms and have small leaves. Moort eucalyptus tree leaves are medium green and have a lustrous sheen. They are rounded, egg-shaped leaves. The leaf margins of these round eucalyptus leaves are crimson, just like the crimson stems and crimson flower buds.
Moort blossoms and foliage are round leaved.
Moort fruit with round leaves
Mountain Gum (Eucalyptus dalrympleana)
Mountain gum trees (Eucalyptus dalrympleana) are tall eucalyptus trees with smooth creamy-white bark that may have patches of rough bark and aromatic leaves. They are easy to grow. The straight and upright limbs of mountain gum trees create a wide crown, with spreading limbs. When crushed, the ovate shaped leaves give off a cinnamon-like fragrance and are long and drooping.
Mountain gum trees thrive in zones 8 to 10, and they enjoy full sun. They grow to between 50 and 70 ft (15 and 21 m) tall. When young, mountain gum tree leaves are oblong and lanceolate, and as the tree develops, they turn to blue-green.
Mountain gum produces leaves and fruit.
Snow Gum Tree (Eucalyptus pauciflora)
Snow gum trees have twisting branches and striped white and brown bark. They are small to medium-sized eucalyptus trees. Snow gum trees may grow to be over 50 feet (15 meters) tall. A big shade canopy is created by the twisted branches. When crushed, the long pointed, glossy green eucalyptus leaves release a pleasant fragrance.
Snow gum leaves
Snow gum flowers and fruit
Tasmanian Snow Gum (Eucalyptus coccifera)
The bark of Tasmanian snow gum (Eucalyptus coccifera) trees is smooth, with white, pink, orange, and tan stripes. Like many varieties of snow gum trees, the evergreen eucalyptus species has twisted branches.
As the tree grows, its leaves become long and lance-shaped, and Tasmanian snow gum bark and branches develop. A spicy peppermint aroma comes from the leaves.
One of the coldest-hardy eucalyptus on this list is Tasmanian snow gum trees, which bloom and develop leaves. The gum tree is drought-tolerant and frost-tolerant and thrives in zones 7 to 10.
Tasmanian snow gum fruit
Spinning Gum Tree (Eucalyptus perriniana)
Spinning gum trees are a little eucalyptus species with white-green striped smooth bark and are native to Australia. Silvery-green leaves with a hanging, lance-shaped shape are commonly used in floral designs. In zones 8 to 10, spinning gum trees grow up to 30 feet (9 meters) tall and thrive in full sun.
The slender stem of spinning gum trees seems to extend right through the center of the bluish-green oval leaves, with young leafy stems and bark.
Mature leaves and flowers of the spinning gum tree
Spinning gum tree fruit