Dwarf Eucalypts for Landscaping and Gardens
Small gum trees bring a touch of Australia’s natural beauty to your garden, no matter its size. Their compact stature, year-round appeal, and wildlife-friendly nature make them an excellent choice for adding an Australian twist to your garden. These compact eucalypts are ideal for urban gardens or spaces where space is limited.
Their evergreen foliage provides year-round colour and texture. Many species boast exquisite leaves with a silver or blue-grey hue, creating a striking visual contrast in any garden.
Several small gum tree species are popular among garden enthusiasts. The ‘Silver Princess’ (Eucalyptus caesia) with its weeping branches and silver foliage, and ‘Blue Bush’ or ‘Mottlecah’, (Eucalyptus macrocarpa) with its brilliant flowers and foliage reaching around 3 metres in height are to name a few.
The term ‘Mallee’ is also used for a number of the low-growing eucalypt species mostly from dry areas. Eucalyptus preissiana or ‘Bell-fruited Mallee’ with its yellow flowers is a classic example. Eucalyptus kruseana or ‘Bookleaf Mallee’, is another.
Most of these smaller species have attractive flowers and beautiful bark, and many can also be pruned to maintain a smaller size if needed.
Growing conditions For Small Gum Trees
- Position
All small eucalypts are best planted in full sun. Newly planted young trees may need some initial protection from frost. Tree guides can be used at this stage. - Soil
A well drained soil is essential with some varieties and species being more demanding in this regard. The type of soil is not so important, but never wet waterlogged soil. - Fertiliser
The time to fertilise is after flowering, a low phosphate fertiliser is essential.
Pruning Eucalypts
A little tip pruning after flowering can help maintain a neater shape, however is not required under good conditions.
- Coppicing
The Mallee types with lignotubers can be copiced, or cut back to near ground level when they will then reshoot with multiple stems. This practice almost guarantees a smaller growing tree.
The best time to coppice Eucalypts is in mid spring.
Eucalyptus pulverulenta, the silver leafed heart gum, Eucalyptus perriniana and Eucalyptus cinerea all seem to respond well to this. some, grown for cut foliage receive this treatment on a regular basis. - Pollarding
Pollarding is not recommended as this tends to create a weak branch structure on Eucalypts.
Some of the Best Small Gum Trees
- Angophora bakeri – Generally reaching 10m or less in height.
- Corymbia ficifolia – New dwarf varieties that reach around 3m in height make these wonderful flowering trees well worth consideration. Read more about Corymbia ficifolia.
- Eucalyptus caesia – (Silver Princess or Gungurru) With a weeping habit and reaching around 8m in height. A number of cultivars are available.
- Eucalyptus cinerea – Wonderful blue foliage that takes very well to pruning. So although it can reach 7 – 10m in height, it can actually be pruned to very low growing ground cover or hedge.
- Eucalyptus gillii – One of the Mallees reaching around 5m in height with a spreading habit.
- Eucalyptus kruseana – Another Mallee. A little straggly in habit that responds to pruning. Lime green flowers in late summer. Variable in height from 3 – 5m.
- Eucalyptus conferruminata – (Bald Island Marlock) From the southern region of WA, reaches 4-8m in height.
- Eucalyptus leucoxylon – (Rosea) Variable in height from 10 -25m, however very attractive and with red flowers. A dwarf form named ‘Euky Dwarf’ is even smaller-growing around 6m. Works well as a street tree.
- Eucalyptus macrocarpa – One of the best Mallee types. Wonderful red flowers, reaching around 4m in height.
- Eucalyptus pachyphylla – reaching 5 – 7m in height with yellow to lime-green flowers.
- Eucalyptus preissiana – One of the smallest Eucalypts, generally 3m or less. Pale green to yellow flowers. Also called the ‘Bell Fruited Mallee’.
- Eucalyptus pulverulenta – includes the cultivar ‘Baby Blue’.
- Eucalyptus risdonii – Reaches 3 – 6m. Due to being from Tasmania, it grows well in cooler climates and is not as particular about drainage as some of the Western Australian species.
- Eucalyptus torquata – Reaches from 6 – 10m in height.
- Eucalyptus youngiana – (Ooldea Mallee) Flowers are most commonly red; however pink and green forms are available. Reaches around 11m in height.
Best Eucalypts for Pots (With Common Names)
Eucalypts Grown for Foliage
Silver Dollar Gum (Eucalyptus cinerea)
One of the most popular eucalypts for pots. Rounded silver leaves, aromatic foliage, and a naturally compact habit when pruned.
Silver-leaved Mountain Gum (Eucalyptus pulverulenta)
Soft, powdery silver foliage. Often grown as a feature pot plant and responds well to regular trimming.
Book-leaf Mallee (Eucalyptus kruseana)
Distinctive upright, folded blue-grey leaves. Compact and architectural, ideal for decorative containers.
Large-fruited Mallee (Eucalyptus youngiana)
Attractive blue foliage with a neat mallee form. Performs well in large pots with good drainage.
Eucalypts Grown for Flowers
Silver Princess (Eucalyptus caesia)
A favourite container tree with a graceful weeping habit and large pink flowers. Best suited to large pots.
Coral Gum (Eucalyptus torquata)
Compact, free-flowering species producing coral-pink blooms and decorative gum nuts.
Red Flowering Gum (Eucalyptus ficifolia)
Often grown in pots while young. Requires a large container and plenty of sun but rewards with vivid flowers.
Crimson Mallee (Eucalyptus lansdowneana)
Compact mallee with bright red flowers. Suitable for pots in full sun.
Eucalypts Grown for Bark Interest
Silver Princess (Eucalyptus caesia)
Smooth bark that sheds in ribbons, revealing soft pastel colours.
Snow Gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora)
Twisted trunk with smooth bark in creams, greys, and greens. Best in cool climates and large containers.
Rainbow Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta)
Grown for its multicoloured bark. Suitable only for warm, frost-free climates and very large pots.
Pot Size, Care, and Placement
- Use large, heavy pots to prevent drying and wind damage
- Free-draining potting mix is essential
- Full sun is preferred for most species
- Water regularly — pots dry out much faster than ground plantings
- Repot or root-prune every few years if keeping long term
Eucalypts do not tolerate constant waterlogging, so drainage is critical.
What to Avoid in Pots
- Large forest eucalypts
- Stringybarks, ironbarks, and boxes
- Species with aggressive root systems
- Trees planted in undersized containers
These will quickly become stressed or unmanageable.
Summary: Best Eucalypts for Pots
Most reliable choices
- Silver Dollar Gum
- Silver-leaved Mountain Gum
- Book-leaf Mallee
- Silver Princess
Best for flowers
- Coral Gum
- Crimson Mallee
- Red Flowering Gum
Best for bark
- Silver Princess
- Snow Gum
- Rainbow Eucalyptus (warm climates only)