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Rainbow Gum

Also known as

Rainbow Eucalyptus, Rainbow Eucalyptus, rainbow eucalyptus, Mindanao gum and rainbow gum

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Eucalyptus deglupta

Genus

Eucalyptus

Family

Myrtaceae

Order

Myrtales

How to care for Rainbow Gum

💦 Water

How often to water your Rainbow Gum

Rainbow Gum needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Rainbow Eucalyptus in your home

Rainbow Gum love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Rainbow Gum does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Rainbow Gum in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Rainbow Gum

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Rainbow Gum: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Rainbow Gum after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #RainbowEucalyptus

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Rainbow Gum is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

How to Grow Rainbow Eucalyptus →

Benefits of Growing Rainbow Eucalyptus →

Common Rainbow Eucalyptus Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Rainbow Eucalyptus →

💦 Water Needs

Rainbow Gum prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Rainbow Eucalyptus Water Frequency →

Rainbow Eucalyptus Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Rainbow Gum requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Rainbow Eucalyptus Light Requirements →

Rainbow Eucalyptus Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Rainbow Gum is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Rainbow Gum is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

💨 Humidity

Rainbow Gum doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.

Rainbow Eucalyptus Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Rainbow Gum does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Rainbow Eucalyptus →

Best Pots for Rainbow Eucalyptus →

When and How to Successfully Repot Rainbow Eucalyptus →

What Are Healthy Rainbow Eucalyptus Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Rainbow Gum is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.

How Much and When to Fertilize Rainbow Eucalyptus →

🌎 Native Region

Rainbow Gum is native to Australia.

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Rainbow Gum will branch off as it grows. To encourage branching, pinch off the newest growth at the tip and the stem will branch off into two.

Rainbow Eucalyptus Lifecycle →

Rainbow Eucalyptus Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Rainbow Eucalyptus →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Rainbow Gum can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Rainbow Eucalyptus Temperature Tolerance →

Rainbow Eucalyptus Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Rainbow Eucalyptus →

When to Plant Rainbow Eucalyptus →

How to Plant Rainbow Eucalyptus →

Where to Plant Rainbow Eucalyptus →

Winter Care for Rainbow Eucalyptus →

Best Companion Plants for Rainbow Eucalyptus →

Is Rainbow Eucalyptus a Weed? →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Rainbow Gum, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.