Red Box Plant Care

Red Box (Eucalyptus polyanthemos) belongs to the Myrtaceae family within the Eucalyptus genus. Red Box is native to eastern Australia. Red Box is also known as Red Gum, White Box, Box.

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

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Red Box 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.

Red Box thrives in full sun.

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

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

Feed Red Box 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.

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

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

Red Box 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.

Red Box 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.

Prune Red Box 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.

Red Box 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.

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

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Red Box 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.

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