Thick-leaved Mallee Plant Care
Eucalyptus pachyphylla F.Muell.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Eucalyptus pachyphylla, commonly known as thick-leaved mallee or the red-budded mallee, is a species of mallee that is native to inland Australia. It has smooth bark, egg-shaped to lance-shaped adult leaves, flower buds in groups of three with five prominent ribs on each bud, and broad, shallow, conical to hemispherical fruit.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
50–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Thick-leaved Mallee?
Plant Thick-leaved Mallee 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 Thick-leaved Mallee Native To?
What Is the Thick-leaved Mallee?
Thick-leaved Mallee (Eucalyptus pachyphylla) belongs to the Myrtaceae family within the Eucalyptus genus. Thick-leaved Mallee is native to inland Australia.
Thick-leaved Mallee displays a fast-growing tall tree growth habit, reaching up to 100 ft tall with a spread of approximately 50 ft. Thick-leaved Mallee produces small white, cream, or pink flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Thick-leaved Mallee?
Water a young or newly planted Thick-leaved Mallee 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 Thick-leaved Mallee Need?
Thick-leaved Mallee thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Thick-leaved Mallee Prefer?
Eucalyptus pachyphylla tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Thick-leaved Mallee prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Thick-leaved Mallee?
Well-draining sandy loam with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Thick-leaved Mallee to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Thick-leaved Mallee?
Feed Thick-leaved Mallee 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 Thick-leaved Mallee?
Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy loam with some organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Thick-leaved Mallee 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 Thick-leaved Mallee?
Thick-leaved Mallee 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 Thick-leaved Mallee?
Prune Thick-leaved Mallee 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 Thick-leaved Mallee in Winter?
Thick-leaved Mallee 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 Thick-leaved Mallee?
Thick-leaved Mallee can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to silver dollar eucalyptus plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Thick-leaved Mallee 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 Thick-leaved Mallee?
Thick-leaved Mallee 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 Thick-leaved Mallee Need?
Thick-leaved Mallee grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Thick-leaved Mallee is native to inland Australia. In cooler regions, grow Thick-leaved Mallee as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Thick-leaved Mallee 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.
Thick-leaved Mallee 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 pachyphylla F.Muell., family Myrtaceae (first published in J. Proc. Linn. Soc., Bot. 3: 98. 1858 [1859 publ. 1858]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Thick-leaved Mallee 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.
