I’m sorry to tell you that no, this is not a tree that produces the perfect cuppa! It is, however, a rather beautiful and wonderfully beneficial plant. How to grow a tea tree or manuka tree (Leptospermum Scoparium) is more simple than you might think – as long as you give it the right conditions, it will reward you with vigorous growth and pretty flowers.
How To Grow A Tea Tree
This plant is a lovely one to grow and look at in your borders, plus it has the added bonus of being able to be used medicinally. Let’s look at how to grow it:
- You can easily grow these from seeds or from cuttings – if you are looking for convenience, cuttings may be the way forward.
- They will need a warm, sunny spot, which should be sheltered from strong winds and protected from getting cold.
- Tea tree does not need particularly good soil; in fact they are native to poor, scrubby areas. Thin coastal soil, such as ericaceous, is ideal.
- These shrubs can grow to enormous sizes, unless you choose a dwarf cultivar, so ensure that you have enough space in your garden for it to spread.
- They will need well-draining soil to prevent root rot, and they will benefit from a regular watering schedule while they are getting established.
- Once set in and growing well, you should water the plant regularly to keep it moist – but remember that they are relatively drought tolerant.
- Mulch the soil to improve the drainage and add nutrients, but make sure you mulch a little way away from the main trunk.
- You won’t need to add too much in the way of fertiliser, but your tea tree may benefit from a layer of organic matter added in the spring, before the main growing season.
- These plants grow well outdoors but can equally thrive in pots. If you live in colder areas this may be more suitable, so that you can bring them in as the weather gets colder.
The most important thing to remember is that you will need to keep your tea tree warm – they really won’t tolerate cold temperatures.
Otherwise, you will be pleasantly surprised by how easily this plant grows and how little you have to do in order to enjoy those beautiful flowers.
Here is an article all about Leptospermum Scoparium, if you want to know more.
Will Manuka Trees Grow In The UK?
The short answer is yes! Despite the fact that they are native to warmer climates than ours, you can happily grow a tea tree in the UK.
The one thing to remember is that they do need warmth – a full sun position is ideal, although they will tolerate a small amount of shade.
The main reason people grow these plants is because of the beautiful flower display, which will be far more abundant the more sunlight they receive.
You may wish to keep your Leptospermum in a pot, so that you can bring it into a more sheltered spot when the weather gets colder.
If you have planted your tea tree outside, it will need some TLC over the winter – you can put fleece or mulch around the roots, and consider erecting a screen to keep the cold winds off them.
It is the cold winds more than the freezing temperatures that will cause your tea tree problems, so try to ensure that it is kept sheltered.
How Big Does A Leptospermum Grow?
There are a few different cultivars of this plant, as with so many, and what type you get will depend on how big it grows.
In the wild, this shrub can err on the shrubby side, because it may not be getting all the correct nutrients, and can be fighting for space.
When growing them ornamentally in gardens, Leptospermum can grow to a whopping 6-10 feet tall!
You can, of course, find dwarf versions of this shrub which are smaller, but the standard version is a fairly good size.
They will also spread to the sides and can end up rather wide, so you will need to make sure that you have enough space for them.
Because they are large-growing trees, they tend to take a fairly long time to reach their full size, so don’t be worried that they will instantly take over your garden.
Is Manuka An Evergreen?
Yes, manuka is an evergreen plant. The small leaves are a dark, glossy green, and will add a classy look to your garden even when they are not in flower.
This is great for people who have mainly deciduous plants in their garden, as there will still be a lovely splash of colour in the garden.
It is a good thing that the leaves are so attractive, because the flowering season is relatively short – only between 2 and 6 weeks of the year will you see flowers.
They make up for this short season by being incredibly attractive, and are also very good at attracting pollinators, which is great for other flowering plants in your garden.
Here is a great video showcasing the delights of evergreen trees, shrubs and bushes:
Is Manuka A Tree Or Bush?
Although they are often called trees, the Leptospermum is actually not a tree or a bush, it is a shrub.
With the right conditions, it can grow very large and will look more like a tree, but you can easily keep it under control if you wanted a smaller plant.
Manuka will grow as wide as it is tall, making it excellent for a hedgerow style shrub in your garden, and you can even use it as a screening plant.
If you are feeling creative, you can even train your Leptospermum into topiary-like shapes – the only thing holding you back is your imagination!
Final Words
This fantastic medicinal plant has been grown and cultivated for many centuries, and now that you now how to grow a tea tree, you can grow on in your own garden!
Tea tree is a versatile plant which is fantastic for pollinators, and which will look fabulous in your borders. Give it a try!
){kind=link}