How to Grow and Care for a Silver Dollar Eucalyptus

There's nothing like the smell of a freshly cut bunch of eucalyptus. You can put them in a vase for a simple, yet beautiful arrangement, bundle them with twine to hang in the shower, or dry and add a couple of sprigs to pampas grass for some added texture.

While you may run out to the grocery store or Trader Joe's to grab a bundle every couple of weeks, you can actually grow your own silver dollar eucalyptus at home to save a few bucks. While there are tons of types of eucalyptus out there, the silver dollar is probably one of the most common ones.

If you're not sure where to start, don't worry! We laid out everything you need to successfully grow your own silver dollar eucalyptus at home.

• Botanical Name: Eucalyptus cinerea
• Common Name: Silver dollar eucalyptus
• Plant Type: Evergreen 
  
• Mature Size: 3-6 ft. tall in yard, up to 40 ft. in natural habitat
  
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Soil Type: Well-drained potting mix
• Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
  

Silver Dollar Eucalyptus Plant Care

If you don't have the greenest of thumbs, don't worry. The silver dollar eucalyptus is a rather easy plant to care for, and you may even find yourself needing to cut it back rather than worrying if it won't grow.

The plant has silvery-blue leaves and a reddish bark. When bruised or clipped, the leaves give off a menthol-like scent. You can grow eucalyptus in a container indoors, or you can choose to grow it outdoors if you live somewhere that doesn't get heavy frosts. If outside, they can grow a couple of feet per year if allowed, but many people choose to prune the tree to keep it from looking too wild.

Indoors, plant the tree in moist, well-draining soil for best results. Inside, it'll only grow to be a couple of feet tall, but it can get rather bushy if you allow it to. It thrives in full sun, so be sure to set it in a south-facing window or somewhere outdoors where it can soak up the sun.

Best Growing Conditions for Silver Dollar Eucalyptus Plants

As it's native to Australia, it's best to try and recreate the conditions the plant would experience there if you want a huge, lush eucalyptus tree. If you're growing it indoors, conditions will be a little bit different than those outdoors.

Indoors, make sure your eucalyptus is planted in moist, well-draining soil. Depending on the size of your plant, make sure it's in a planter that's rather large. The plant grows quickly and doesn't like to have its roots disturbed, so it's best to go bigger to allow it to grow into the pot rather than outgrow it quickly. Keep the plant in a sunny spot indoors with moderate humidity for best results. Eucalyptus does prefer warmer temps, so be sure to move it away from places where it may catch a chill in cooler months.

Outdoors, plant seeds or starter plants a few feet apart so they won't crowd each other. There has to be plenty of space for the plants to spread out, and they should be in an area with a lot of sun. Well-draining soil is a must, too, however, the plant isn't too picky about the pH of the soil it's growing in.

How to Propagate Your Silver Dollar Eucalyptus Plant

Most eucalyptus plants grow from seed or nursery plants, so it can be hard to propagate a plant of your own, but it's not impossible! Eucalyptus plants have a better chance of growing via plant cuttings when they're a younger plant, so be sure to take cuttings for propagations sooner rather than later.

To take a cutting from a eucalyptus plant, use clean scissors or a blade to cut a small sprig from the plant. Make sure to have a few nodes (where the leaves connect to the stem) on the cutting for a better success rate. Remove the bottom leaves from the plant and place it in soil to where the leaves begin. Place the plant in a sunny spot, keeping the soil moist, and roots should show up in about a month.

Common Growing Problems

Thankfully, silver dollar eucalyptus is a pretty hardy plant. Not only is it resistant to most pests, but it can actually ward off mosquitos and fleas thanks to the oil in its leaves. However, sometimes the plant will become infested with borers, a type of insect, that feed on the sap within the plant. These bugs are not treatable with pesticides, and it's best to remove any plants infected with them.

Potting and Repotting

Silver dollar eucalyptus plants do not like having their roots disturbed, so it's best to leave them alone after planting them, whether that's in a container or outdoors. Instead, manage the plant's size through pruning.