Cider Gum Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus gunnii
An evergreen tree known for its distinctive silvery-blue to greenish-grey juvenile foliage. Young leaves are small, rounded, and sessile (clasping the stem), while adult leaves become elongated and lance-shaped.
- Light
- Full sun, at least 6 to 8 hours per day.
- Water
- Moderate. Keep soil consistently moist for young plants; mature trees are drought-tolerant. In containers, water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
- Growth
- Perennial evergreen tree. Rapid growth rate, reaching 30 to 70 feet in the wild, though often kept smaller or pruned as a shrub in gardens.
Care instructions
Provide full sun and well-draining soil. Water regularly until established, but avoid waterlogged soil. Requires minimal feeding; a balanced fertilizer once a year in spring is sufficient for potted specimens.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, at least 6 to 8 hours per day.
Watering
Moderate. Keep soil consistently moist for young plants; mature trees are drought-tolerant. In containers, water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Soil
Well-drained, fertile soil. Prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5 to 7.0).
Hardiness zone
8 to 11; can survive temperatures down to approximately 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
Growth habit
Perennial evergreen tree. Rapid growth rate, reaching 30 to 70 feet in the wild, though often kept smaller or pruned as a shrub in gardens.
Bloom season
Mid-summer to early autumn. Small, creamy-white flowers with numerous stamens; non-showy.
Propagation
Typically propagated by seeds in spring. Stem cuttings are difficult to root.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to eucalyptus longhorn borer and psyllids. Fungal issues like root rot can occur in poorly drained soil.
Similar species
Eucalyptus pulverulenta (Silver Mountain Gum) has more intensely silver, rounder leaves that remain opposite even as the plant matures.