Can I keep it in a pot?

Yes, it grows well in large containers but will need regular pruning to maintain its size.

How often should I water it?

Water it deeply during the first year, but once established, it is quite drought tolerant.

Plant guide

Cider gum.

Eucalyptus gunnii

Pronounced yoo-kuh-LIP-tus GUN-ee-eye

Also known as Cider Gum, cider-eucalypt-tree, cider-gum, cider-gum-tree, white-swamp-gum

The cider gum is a beautiful, fast growing evergreen tree known for its lovely blue green foliage. It is quite hardy and often grown for its ornamental value in gardens. You will love how its leaves change shape as the tree matures.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Evergreen tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 10 to 25 meters
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 7 to 10
Bloom time: Mid to late summer

Care

Plant this tree in a spot with plenty of sun and well draining soil. Keep an eye out for yellowing leaves which might signal poor drainage or overwatering. It appreciates a sheltered position to protect it from harsh drying winds.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the growing season.
Feeding: Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer during the spring and summer months.
Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and remove dead branches.
Repotting: Repot young trees annually until they reach a size that requires a permanent outdoor location.
Soil: Well draining loamy or sandy soil
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral
Temperature: -15 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 20 to 50 years
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: All parts of the plant are considered toxic if ingested due to the presence of eucalyptol.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant away from small children as the leaves are toxic if chewed or swallowed.
Contact allergens: Contact with the leaves or sap may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The aromatic oils released by the foliage can sometimes trigger respiratory discomfort in those with asthma.
Edibility: The leaves contain essential oils that are toxic if ingested in quantity and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

Silvery blue green rounded juvenile leaves
Peeling bark revealing cream patches
Narrow lance shaped adult leaves
Small white flowers in clusters

Height: 6 to 15m
Spread: 3 to 6m
Leaves: blue-green, silvery-grey, evergreen
Flowers: white, cream, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

Leaf spot · Fungal infections causing spots on foliage, usually due to poor air circulation.
Root rot · Occurs when the soil remains waterlogged for extended periods.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: In very cold regions, protect young trees with horticultural fleece during the first few winters. Ensure the soil is well drained to prevent root damage from freezing wet conditions.
In containers: It is excellent for containers when young, but requires a large pot of at least 40 liters to prevent it from becoming root bound.

Seed

1. Sow seeds in a well draining seed starting mix in early spring.
2. Keep the tray in a warm, bright location.
3. Transplant seedlings into individual pots once they have two sets of true leaves.

Plant this tree as a focal point and surround it with drought tolerant shrubs that do not mind slightly acidic soil.

Grows well with

Lavender · They share similar requirements for full sun and well draining soil.
Rock Rose · This shrub complements the silvery foliage of the eucalyptus.

Similar species

Silver-leaved Mountain Gum · It shares the attractive silvery foliage but stays smaller.

Science

Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Eucalyptus
Order: Myrtales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Tasmania, Australia
Conservation: This species is native to Tasmania and is not currently considered threatened in the wild.

It thrives in high altitude, cold, and wet environments, often forming woodlands in its native range.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees
Uses: ornamental specimen, cut foliage, windbreak

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 3/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 4/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I keep it in a pot?: Yes, it grows well in large containers but will need regular pruning to maintain its size.
How often should I water it?: Water it deeply during the first year, but once established, it is quite drought tolerant.

Where the name comes from

The specific epithet gunnii honors Ronald Campbell Gunn, a prominent 19th century botanist who collected extensively in Tasmania.

Good to know

It is one of the hardiest eucalyptus species available for temperate gardens.
The juvenile leaves are rounded and silvery, while adult leaves become long and sickle shaped.
It grows very quickly, sometimes adding over a meter in height per year.
The bark peels away in patches to reveal smooth, cream colored wood underneath.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.