How Long Does Eucalyptus Last in a Vase?

Longer lasting than flowers, eucalyptus stems and leaves last a few weeks to a few years in a vase, depending on how you want to use them. Stems and seed pods, whether fresh, dried or preserved, work well combined with other flowers and foliage or in arrangements by themselves. You can grow your own eucalyptus tree (Eucalyptus) if you live in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11.

Selecting Stems

The fresher the stems of the eucalyptus, the longer they will last in water. At the florist, feel one of the leaves on the stem to see if it is soft and pliable or dry, wrinkled and brittle. The stem itself should not feel or look slimy where it is sitting in water. If you have a tree to pick stems from, choose the youngest, greenest stems instead of more woody, older stems for fresh arrangements. But choose older, woody stems if you plan to preserve the stems.


If you've brought your eucalyptus stems home but don't plan to make a flower arrangement until the next day, keep the stems in water and place them in a cool spot, such as a basement or back closet. Don't put them in the refrigerator because the humidity level and the ethylene gas released by fruits and vegetables can kill any emerging flowers on the stems.

Fresh Stems

Eucalyptus stems from the florist will last about three weeks in a vase with water. As you would with other flowers, cut the ends of the stems immediately before you place them in the water. The tips of the stems dry out quickly and won't absorb as much water if you skip cutting them again once you get them home. You can also extend the life of the stems by recutting them every few days within the three-week period or by adding a preservative to the water, such as a mix of 1/2 teaspoon sugar and a splash of bleach for each gallon of water. Sterilize your pruners before or after cutting the stems with rubbing alcohol to reduce chances of spreading diseases or pests from one plant to another.

Dried Stems

Dried eucalyptus stems last for years, although the leaves will become brittle and break if you don't handle the stems gently. The stems will dry on their own in an arrangement with other dried foliage and flowers. Or you can remove the eucalyptus from a vase with water after you're finished with the other flowers in the vase and then let the stems dry out.

Preserved Stems

Preserving eucalyptus stems with a solution of technical-grade glycerin and water keeps the leaves soft and pliant for many years. The leaves do change color, though, from their natural gray-green shades to brownish, bronze colors, so you'll need to decide whether color or texture is more important to you. Smash the ends of stems with a hammer and let them sit in a mixture of 1 part glycerin and 2 parts warm water for two to three weeks until all the leaves have changed color. Replenish the water-and-glycerin mixture throughout the preserving time so that it remains about 6 inches deep. You can buy technical-grade glycerin from a pharmacist or florist.