Skip to content

Cider gum · Eucalyptus gunnii

Why is my Eucalyptus gunnii dropping leaves?

It is less common for a healthy cider gum to drop leaves, so this usually happens when the plant is stressed by sudden environmental changes or improper watering. Check your soil moisture first to see if the roots are either bone dry or sitting in standing water.

Not sure it's this? Check a photo of your plant for free

Check these first

  1. Feel the soil to see if it is dry or waterlogged.
  2. Check the location to ensure the plant is getting full sun.
  3. Inspect the base of the plant for signs of root rot.

Likely causes

  1. Watering issues

    Most likely

    How to tell: The leaves may feel brittle if dry or limp if overwatered before they fall off. Check if the top 2 inches of soil are completely dry or soggy.

    What to do: Adjust your schedule to water every 7 to 14 days. Ensure the pot has drainage holes so excess water can escape freely.

  2. Insufficient light

    Possible

    How to tell: The plant looks stretched out or thin, and leaves drop from the lower branches first. This happens when the tree does not get enough direct sun.

    What to do: Move your plant to a spot that receives full, direct sun for at least 6 to 8 hours a day. If you are growing it indoors, place it directly in a south facing window.

Leaf drop in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your cider gum

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

When to worry

A few leaves dropping after you move the plant to a new spot is normal as it adjusts. You should worry if the leaf drop is rapid and affects the entire canopy.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain a consistent watering schedule and ensure the plant receives plenty of direct sunlight daily.

Cider gum: leaf drop? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your cider gum and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Will my plant grow new leaves where they fell off?
Eucalyptus gunnii does not always regrow leaves on old, bare woody stems. It is better to focus on keeping the remaining foliage healthy.
Can I keep this plant indoors?
It is very difficult to keep this tree happy indoors because it requires intense direct sun and high airflow. It will almost always perform better outdoors in a sunny spot.

More problems with Cider gum

Back to the Cider gum guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.