Welcome to this post about whether eucalyptus is a slow-growing tree. We might as well reveal the answer right away, it’s a very fast-growing tree. It can grow about 8 feet or 2 meters tall in just one season, even if you grow it from seed the same year.
So if you want a slow-growing tree then this really is not the one for you. It might even surprise you at the speed it keeps up. This is why regular pruning is often recommended for growing eucalyptus.
If you are interested in growing eucalyptus either indoors or outdoors then we have written the perfect article just for you. It covers a lot of the most common questions. You can find it here, Is Eucalyptus Easy To Grow Indoors And Outdoors.
Is Eucalyptus Slow Growing
If you were thinking that eucalyptus would be a very slow-growing tree to have at home then unfortunately not. This specific variety is one of the fastest-growing you can have in your garden. If you read the beginning of this article then you would have read about the insane rate of 8 feet per season. Compare that to the norm of growing trees, which are about 3 – 4 feet per year at the high end. This is one of the reasons why a lot of people feel like eucalyptus is an invasive species that should be grown.
It can establish itself very quickly in a new area of the world. On one side it can be very good for those that want something that grows quickly and shows results. It is also very good for off-hand growing as the only work you will need to put in is at the end of the season. This is when it will need to be heavily pruned to keep the growth steady and not tip over. It also gives room for new cuttings to sprout when spring finally arrives.
If you are interested in having a smaller variety of eucalyptus growing at home then you can grow the dwarf variety. We have a specific article dedicated to that one. Find it right here, Is There A Dwarf Eucalyptus Tree.
We figured we might include some timelines for you to check on when you are growing eucalyptus. At the two-week mark, it might show the first signs above the surface. This is after you have sown it of course. The first part of any plant’s life is germination. This is when the seed sprouts and takes nutrition from the soil. If you haven’t seen anything after 2 weeks then definitely after 4 weeks.
After 3 months you should be able to transplant it to the outside and keep it there. Since it’s a tree it should be growing outside. Now you won’t have to do a whole lot. If the summer is very hot however then maybe 2 – 3 times a week you will need to water the soil around it. But during the second year, you don’t have to worry about this. The roots will have grown deep enough to start draining nutrition and feeding water for themselves. But supplementing during dry times is a good idea nonetheless.
Fast Growing And Hardy Eucalyptus
That’s the tagline I would have for growing this tree. It grows really fast, after a year it will be taller than you. It beat outs other trees by a great margin in growth speed. But the hardiness of this tree is impressive too. Even though it’s native to a very special and dry climate in Australia it can manage fine in others too. It might grow slightly slower in colder parts of the world. But that shouldn’t deter you from trying it out anyway.
Just following the guidelines of keeping it well watered and in the sun as much as possible will keep it very happy.
Let’s reiterate again the question that we started off with. Is eucalyptus slow growing? No, definitely not. It grows very fast and shows results quickly. If you are eager to have something growing in your garden this might be the best choice out there in all honesty.
Can a eucalyptus tree last a long time or will you have to grow a new one soon? In this article, we take a closer look. Find it here, How Long Does Eucalyptus Last?
