Propagating Eucalyptus

Vegetative propagation techniques like grafting and micropropagation are commonly used by large-scale growers.


Eucalyptus, hundreds of different plant species within the genus of the same name, are large evergreen shrubs or trees prized for their hardiness, fast growth rate and adaptability. Eucalyptus plants produce large quantities of seed that readily germinates, often making propagation by seed the most convenient method, though some species may root easily from cuttings. Grafting and micropropagation are additional options.

Seed Collection and Stratification

Eucalyptus seeds are collected from mature capsules in fall or winter and sown in spring or summer. If the capsules are not yet open, store them in a hot, dry, well-ventilated environment to encourage seed release. A high percentage of the seeds will likely fail to germinate, so collecting and sowing extra seeds helps to ensure you'll end up with the desired number of seedlings. Seeds of some eucalyptus species, especially the more hardy eucalyptus shrubs and trees, benefit from a period of cold stratification, or storage for two months at about 40 degrees Fahrenheit.


Eucalyptus seeds germinate best under certain conditions and are very susceptible to damping off caused by diseases that are especially prevalent in damp conditions when temperatures are cool. The germinating medium must be well-drained. Try a mixture of peat moss, sand and perlite or vermiculite in a germinating flat or container with adequate drain holes. To encourage germination, sow the seeds over the surface of the medium and lightly cover them with more of the mixture. Gently mist the medium regularly so that it and the seeds never dry out, maintaining humid but not wet conditions. Keep the temperature around the seeds at about 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Rooting Cuttings

It is possible, though difficult with many eucalyptus species, to propagate them vegetatively by rooting cuttings. Rooting success is most likely if the cuttings are taken from healthy, vigorous new shoots at the base of a young eucalyptus in spring. Wound the cutting at the base, remove its lower leaves and dip the end in rooting hormone; insert it into a suitable, well-drained rooting medium. Mist the cuttings and medium regularly so that they never dry out and maintain a temperature around 70 F to encourage root development.

Additional Eucalyptus Propagation Techniques

Certain grafting methods may allow the successful union of a scion from the parent eucalyptus to an established rootstock. A scion from the parent eucalyptus may be grafted onto a healthy, vigorous seedling rootstock using a top-cleft graft -- cutting off the top of the rootstock, creating a split in the cut surface and inserting two scions each with a wedge-shaped base into the split. Another option for eucalyptus grafting is a side-wedge method that involves cutting the base of the scion at an angle and inserting it into a flap cut into the side of the rootstock. It's critical to thoroughly cover the graft area with grafting wax and maintaining high humidity around the union. Eucalyptus may also be propagated using micropropagation, or tissue culture. However, this method, which involves placing a very small amount of plant tissue in a sterile, nutrient-rich environment, is very difficult to perform for a casual grower with limited equipment.

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