Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark Plant Care
Eucalyptus crebra F.Muell.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Eucalyptus crebra, commonly known as the narrow-leaved ironbark, narrow-leaved red ironbark or simply ironbark, and as muggago in the indigenous Dharawal language, is a species of small to medium-sized tree endemic to eastern Australia. It has hard, rough "ironbark" from its trunk to small branches, linear to lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, nine or eleven, white flowers and cup-shaped, barrel-shaped or hemispherical fruit.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
50–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark?
Plant Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark in full sun (USDA zones 12a) 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. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark Native To?
What Is the Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark?
Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark (Eucalyptus crebra) belongs to the Myrtaceae family within the Eucalyptus genus. Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark is native to eastern Australia. Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark is also known as Red Ironbark, Narrow-leaved Ironbark.
Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark displays a fast-growing tall tree growth habit, reaching up to 100 ft tall with a spread of approximately 50 ft. Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark produces small white, cream, or pink flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark?
Water a young or newly planted Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark 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 Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark Need?
Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark Prefer?
Eucalyptus crebra tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark?
Well-draining sandy loam with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark?
Feed Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark 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 Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark?
Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy loam with some organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
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 Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark?
Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark 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 Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark?
Prune Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark 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 Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark in Winter?
Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark?
Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to silver dollar eucalyptus plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
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 Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark?
Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark 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 Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark Need?
Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark is native to eastern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark 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.
Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Eucalyptus Species
Other Eucalyptus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Eucalyptus crebra F.Muell., family Myrtaceae (first published in J. Proc. Linn. Soc., Bot. 3: 87 (1858)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Narrow-leaved Red Ironbark is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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.
