Cider Gum / Silver Drop Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus gunnii
description
Cider Gum is a fast-growing eucalyptus with aromatic blue-grey juvenile foliage.
benefits
- Suitable for containers
warnings
- Toxic to cats
- Toxic to dogs
How to care for Cider Gum
sunlight
In its native Tasmanian woodlands, Cider Gum grows in open, sunny places. Give it the brightest position you have, ideally outdoors, so it can make sturdy growth and keep its blue-grey foliage.
Full sun
Aim for at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. A south- or west-facing outdoor spot is ideal. Indoors, place it directly by the sunniest window, though it will be much happier outside when conditions allow.
watering
Water deeply, then let the upper layer of compost dry before watering again. Cider Gum dislikes constantly wet roots, especially in a pot.
Spring and summer
Water potted plants about once or twice a week in bright, warm weather. Check that the top 2-5 cm of compost is dry and the pot feels lighter, then soak until water drains out. A newly planted tree in the ground needs a deep watering about weekly during dry spells for its first growing season.
Autumn and winter
In lower light and cooler conditions, water roughly every 2-4 weeks, only after the compost has dried further down. Growth slows, so cold, wet soil is more harmful than a short dry spell.
humidity
Preferred humidity
Native to cool, often moist parts of Tasmania, Cider Gum appreciates moderate humidity but is usually comfortable in an ordinary home. Good air circulation matters as much as humidity.
Acceptable minimum
Briefly lower humidity is usually fine. Prolonged dry, heated air can cause crisp brown leaf edges, curling, or increased leaf drop, especially on young plants.
- Keep it away from radiators, heating vents, and hot drafty windows.
- Group plants nearby or use a humidifier if indoor air stays below about 35%.
- Provide airflow and avoid frequent misting, which does little for room humidity.
temperature
Best growth
Established outdoor trees
Native to cool, temperate Tasmania, Cider Gum is happier in fresh air and cool weather than in a warm room. Established trees in the ground can handle frost, but hardiness varies by seed source, shelter, and soil drainage.
nutrition
March - August
Feed established potted plants about every 4-6 weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser at half the label strength. Apply it to already moist compost while the tree is making new growth. Stop feeding in autumn and winter unless it is actively growing in a warm, very bright spot.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen supports the vigorous leafy growth that gives Cider Gum its silvery juvenile foliage. A gentle, regular feed is enough - too much can produce soft, weak growth.
Phosphorus
Eucalyptus generally copes better with modest phosphorus, especially in containers. Choose a general-purpose fertiliser rather than a high-phosphorus flowering feed.
soil
Open, loamy, free-draining soil
Cider gum needs air around its roots but dislikes a potting mix that dries out immediately. Use a loam-based or quality all-purpose mix loosened with perlite, pumice, or coarse grit, and always use a pot with drainage holes.
pH 5,5 - 7,0
This is mildly acidic to neutral, which suits eucalyptus roots well. Most fresh, peat-free all-purpose mixes fall close to this range, so avoid strongly alkaline garden soil or adding lime unless a soil test shows it is needed.