Red Bloodwood Plant Care

Eucalyptus pleurocorys L.A.S.Johnson & K.D.Hill

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Eucalyptus pleurocorys is a species of mallee, sometimes a tree, that is endemic to Western Australia. It has rough, flaky or fibrous bark on the lower part of the trunk, smooth bark above, lance-shaped or curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of between seven and eleven and conical fruit.

🌳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 Red Bloodwood?

Plant Red Bloodwood 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 Red Bloodwood Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Red Bloodwood?

Red Bloodwood (Eucalyptus pleurocorys) belongs to the Myrtaceae family within the Eucalyptus genus. Red Bloodwood is native to Western Australia. Red Bloodwood is also known as Bloodwood.

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

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Red Bloodwood?

Water a young or newly planted Red Bloodwood 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 Red Bloodwood Need?

Red Bloodwood thrives in full sun.

Light Requirement

Full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Red Bloodwood Prefer?

Eucalyptus pleurocorys tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Red Bloodwood prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Red Bloodwood?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Red Bloodwood?

Feed Red Bloodwood 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 Red Bloodwood?

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

Red Bloodwood 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 Red Bloodwood?

Red Bloodwood 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 Red Bloodwood?

Prune Red Bloodwood 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 Red Bloodwood in Winter?

Red Bloodwood 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 Red Bloodwood?

Red Bloodwood can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to silver dollar eucalyptus plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Red Bloodwood 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 Red Bloodwood?

Red Bloodwood 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 Red Bloodwood Need?

Red Bloodwood grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Red Bloodwood is native to Western Australia. In cooler regions, grow Red Bloodwood as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Red Bloodwood 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.

Red Bloodwood 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 pleurocorys L.A.S.Johnson & K.D.Hill, family Myrtaceae (first published in Telopea 9: 277 (2001)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Red Bloodwood 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.

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