Silver Dollar Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus cinerea)

Photo: © Daniel IseliPlantoScanImage: PlantoScan

Silver Dollar Eucalyptus Plant Care

Eucalyptus cinerea F.Muell. ex Benth.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

With its signature silvery-blue foliage, Eucalyptus cinerea is native to Australia and prized by plant collectors for its unique color and fragrance. This plant's rounded leaves give off a refreshing eucalyptus scent and add a touch of Mediterranean flair to any garden.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun

Temp

50–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Silver Dollar Eucalyptus?

Plant Silver Dollar Eucalyptus in full sun (USDA zones 8a–11a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach of pets.

Where Is the Silver Dollar Eucalyptus Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Silver Dollar Eucalyptus?

Silver Dollar Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus cinerea) belongs to the Myrtaceae family within the Eucalyptus genus. Silver Dollar Eucalyptus is native to south-eastern Australia. Silver Dollar Eucalyptus is also known as Argyle Apple, Silver Gum, Dusty Miller.

Silver Dollar Eucalyptus displays a fast-growing tall tree growth habit, reaching up to 100 ft tall with a spread of approximately 50 ft. Silver Dollar Eucalyptus produces small white, cream, or pink flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Silver Dollar Eucalyptus?

Water a young or newly planted Silver Dollar Eucalyptus every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Silver Dollar Eucalyptus Need?

Silver Dollar Eucalyptus thrives in full sun.

Light Requirement

Full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Silver Dollar Eucalyptus Prefer?

Eucalyptus cinerea tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Silver Dollar Eucalyptus prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Silver Dollar Eucalyptus?

Well-draining sandy loam with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Silver Dollar Eucalyptus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Silver Dollar Eucalyptus?

Feed Silver Dollar Eucalyptus every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Silver Dollar Eucalyptus?

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy loam with some organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Silver Dollar Eucalyptus is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 11a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Silver Dollar Eucalyptus?

Silver Dollar Eucalyptus can spread to about 50 ft (15.2 m) and reach about 100 ft (30 m) tall. Space plants about 50 ft (15.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Silver Dollar Eucalyptus?

Prune Silver Dollar Eucalyptus while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

How Do You Care for a Silver Dollar Eucalyptus in Winter?

Silver Dollar Eucalyptus is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

How Do You Propagate a Silver Dollar Eucalyptus?

Silver Dollar Eucalyptus can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cider gum plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Silver Dollar Eucalyptus Toxic to Pets and Children?

Toxic to cats and dogs

Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list, which covers Eucalyptus species (which includes Silver Dollar Eucalyptus). View the ASPCA entry

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Silver Dollar Eucalyptus?

Silver Dollar Eucalyptus is susceptible to lerp psyllids, eucalyptus gall wasp. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Silver Dollar Eucalyptus Need?

Silver Dollar Eucalyptus grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 11a. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Silver Dollar Eucalyptus is native to south-eastern Australia.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 8a – 11a

Keep exploring plants

Silver Dollar Eucalyptus is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Eucalyptus genus — compare its care with other Eucalyptus species on PlantoScan.

Eucalyptus is part of the Myrtaceae plant family — browse all Myrtaceae genera and species.

Silver Dollar Eucalyptus thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

Related Plant Care Guides

Closely related plants with similar care requirements:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Eucalyptus cinerea F.Muell. ex Benth., family Myrtaceae (first published in Fl. Austral. 3: 239 (1867)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
  • Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Eucalyptus species (which includes Silver Dollar Eucalyptus) as toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
  • Photo: © Daniel Iseli, PlantoScan.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 11a, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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