Eucalyptus tree: how hardy is eucalyptus?

With its striking foliage, the eucalyptus is a special eye-catcher. The decorative silvery blue leaves stay on the plants even in winter. Unfortunately, almost every eucalyptus in this country is not sufficiently winter hardy.

Frost hardiness of eucalyptus

The eucalyptus tree spoils its viewers not only with its extremely decorative foliage, but also with pleasant scents thanks to essential oils. However, this does not hide its lack of winter hardiness, because most species cannot tolerate frost due to their natural origin. However, there are exceptions that, with appropriate protection, can also hibernate outside in this country.

Eucalyptus, which are offered in the trade, are often declared as "conditionally hardy". This supposed winter hardiness usually only refers to a few degrees below zero. This may well work in very mild winter locations, but not in most regions of Germany. Most of them are not as robust as eucalyptus 'Azura'. For them, keeping them in a bucket and a frost-free wintering is ideal.

Tip: The white mountain eucalyptus (Eucalyptus dalrympleana) and the fast-growing Eucalyptus perriniana can also be planted in very mild locations with little frost.

Winter in the bed

The real or must gum eucalyptus 'Azura' (Eucalyptus gunnii), an attractive novelty with good frost resistance, is particularly suitable for wintering in the bed. It can withstand temperatures of - 14 ° C, and briefly - 20 ° C. Older specimens in particular usually have a certain frost resistance. Adequate winter protection is therefore primarily recommended for young plants.
To protect the root area from frost, apply a thick layer of mulch and cover it with brushwood. The winter sun and simultaneous frost can cause frost cracks on the trunk of eucalyptus outdoors. To prevent this from happening, wrap one around him reed- or coconut mat or burlap.

Frost-free through the cold season

A eucalyptus is not hardy, especially in the bucket, and must generally be overwintered frost-free, which affects most of the species available in this country. In summer they enjoy bathing in the sun, in winter they prefer closed and, above all, frost-free rooms.

• Unheated winter gardens or frost-free greenhouses are suitable as winter quarters
• Eucalyptus take a rest phase in winter
• The wintering room should be frost-free and bright
• Eucalyptus tree needs sufficient light even in winter
• Temperatures between 5 and 10 degrees are ideal
• should be neither below nor significantly above
• Refrain from any fertilizer during the winter
• only pour cautiously
• only when the substrate has almost dried out
• the cooler the location, the less water has to be poured

After the ice saints, this beautiful plant can slowly go outside again. However, you should gradually get used to the new conditions. You can do this by choosing an overcast day to protect the leaves from intense sunlight and avoid leaf damage from burns.

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