Eucalyptus Facts: The Greenery That Outlasts the Flowers

Ask a florist which stem in the cooler lasts the longest, and the answer is rarely a flower. It is the soft, silvery-blue eucalyptus tucked between the roses. Long after the petals have dropped and the lilies have browned, the eucalyptus is still green, still fragrant and still looking like it was cut this morning.

That staying power is why florists reach for it in almost every mixed bouquet, and why it has become a favorite on its own. Below is what eucalyptus actually is, the types you will see most often, how to keep it fresh, the shower trick that everyone seems to be talking about, and how to dry it so you can enjoy it long after the vase is empty.

Where eucalyptus comes from

Eucalyptus is a large group of trees and shrubs with more than 700 species, and the great majority are native to Australia. Koalas famously eat the leaves of a handful of them, which is why the name is so closely tied to that image. The leaves are full of tiny oil glands. Hold a leaf up to the light and you can often see them as translucent dots. That oil is what gives eucalyptus its sharp, clean, slightly medicinal smell.

Eucalyptus also grows all over California. Blue gum trees were brought to the state in the 1850s, and you will still see tall groves of them along roads and ridges. Much of the eucalyptus sold in flower shops is grown commercially, then cut and bundled for the cooler.

One odd fact explains why florists have so many shapes to choose from: many eucalyptus trees grow two kinds of leaves. Young plants have round, coin-shaped, blue-gray leaves. Mature branches grow long, narrow, curved leaves. The round juvenile leaves are what you see in the popular silver dollar and baby blue varieties, and growers keep cutting the plants back so they keep producing that rounded foliage.

The types of eucalyptus you will see

A florist may use five or six kinds in a single week. They look different, but they act almost the same in a vase. This is the quick guide.

Common florist eucalyptus at a glance

If you are not sure which to buy, silver dollar is the easy choice. It is sturdy, it dries well, and it goes with every flower from white roses to burnt-orange chrysanthemums. It is also one of the stems we suggest in our guide to flowers in season in November.

Why eucalyptus lasts so long

Most cut flowers are delicate. A petal is thin tissue that loses water fast, and the stem has to push a lot of water up to a big, thirsty bloom. Eucalyptus leaves are the opposite. They are thick and leathery, with a waxy coat that holds moisture in, so they lose water slowly. The stems are woody, and they keep drinking steadily for days.

With a clean vase and fresh water, two weeks is normal and three weeks is possible. Even when the leaves start to dry, they usually dry on the stem instead of turning slimy, so the bunch fades gracefully rather than going bad. That is a big reason florists pair it with flowers that are shorter-lived. When the blooms fade, you can pull them out and let the eucalyptus carry on by itself.

How to keep eucalyptus fresh in a vase

It is a forgiving plant, but a few small habits make a real difference.

1. Start with a clean vase. Wash it with hot soapy water. Bacteria are the main thing that shortens the life of any cut stem.
2. Cut the stems at an angle. Take off one to two inches with sharp shears. Woody stems drink better when they are freshly cut.
3. Strip the lower leaves. Anything that sits under the water will rot and cloud it. Remove those leaves before you put the stems in.
4. Use cool water and flower food. Eucalyptus does not need a lot of water, so fill the vase about halfway.
5. Change the water every three or four days. Give the stems a fresh trim at the same time.
6. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heaters. Heat dries the leaves faster than anything else.

The same rules apply to any bouquet, and we cover them in more detail in our guide on how to make flowers last longer.

The shower eucalyptus trick

This is the part that took over social media. You take a small bunch of fresh eucalyptus, tie the stems together with a rubber band or twine, and hang it from the shower head or a hook in the shower. When the hot water runs, the steam warms the leaves and releases the oil, and the whole bathroom smells fresh and green.

A few details make it work well:

• Hang it where steam reaches it but water does not. A hook on the wall near the shower head works better than hanging it directly under the spray, which will rinse the oils away and soak the leaves.
• Use fresh stems. Eucalyptus that has just been cut has the strongest scent.
• Give it a squeeze. If the smell fades after a week or two, roll the leaves gently between your fingers to release a little more.
• Expect it to dry out. In a warm, humid bathroom it will slowly dry on the stem. That is fine. A dried bunch still looks good, and the scent returns whenever the steam does.

It is a small, cheap way to make a bathroom feel like a spa. People like the smell, though it is nothing more than a pleasant touch. It will not treat a cold or any other health problem.

How to dry eucalyptus

Drying is almost effortless, and it is a nice way to extend a bouquet's life. There are two easy methods.

• Hang it upside down. Tie a small bunch with twine, hang it in a dry, shaded spot for two to three weeks, and it will keep its shape. The leaves turn a deeper gray-green and feel a little stiffer.
• Dry it in the vase. Let the water level drop and do not refill it. The stems dry slowly while staying upright, which keeps the curves natural. This is the easier method for a loose bunch.

Dried eucalyptus lasts for months, and the leaves tend to lose some of their silver color over time. It looks lovely in a wreath, on a mantel or tucked into a vase with dried grasses. If you want a longer-lasting centerpiece, mix it with other dry stems. Fresh bunches for the table also look good alongside the greenery in our Thanksgiving flower centerpiece ideas.

Is eucalyptus safe for pets?

No. The ASPCA lists eucalyptus as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Chewing on the leaves can cause drooling, vomiting and diarrhea, and it can cause weakness in larger amounts. If you have a pet who nibbles on plants, keep the vase on a high shelf or choose another green. Essential oil made from eucalyptus is stronger still, so do not diffuse it around cats or dogs without asking your vet first. If your pet eats some, call your vet or an animal poison hotline right away.

How florists use eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is the best supporting actor in floristry. A few stems add a cool, silvery tone that makes warm colors look richer and white flowers look crisp. In a hand-tied bouquet, it gives the shape its flow and covers the gaps between larger blooms. If you want to try it, our step-by-step guide on the hand-tied bouquet shows where greenery goes.

Some simple ways to use it at home:

• Fill a tall vase with a single big bunch of seeded or spiral eucalyptus for a clean, modern look.
• Lay silver dollar stems down the center of a dinner table with a few candles.
• Add a few sprigs to a bouquet of grocery-store flowers to make it look designed.
• Tuck a short sprig into a gift bouquet as a boutonniere for the person who is hosting.

Eucalyptus FAQ

The short version

• Eucalyptus is leathery, waxy and woody, which is why it outlasts most flowers.
• Expect 2 to 3 weeks in a vase with clean water and a fresh cut.
• Silver dollar is the easiest type to buy and dries best.
• Hang a small bunch near the shower head for a fresh scent, and refresh it by rolling the leaves.
• It is toxic to pets, so keep it high.

A good bouquet is mostly about the flowers, but the greenery is what holds it together. FlowerEase opens on November 21 with same-day delivery from a florist near you. Until then, follow along on Instagram and Pinterest for a new flower story every week.

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