The gender leptospermum It is made up of a few species - in total there are about 86 - ideal for growing in pots and in gardens, be they small, medium or large. Some of them are more than ornamental plants: their leaves are used to make tea, which in addition to serving to quench thirst has medicinal properties.
For all this, it is highly recommended to know them, because I already anticipate that with a minimum of care you will be able to create a very nice corner 🙂.
Origin and characteristics of Leptospermum
They are a genus of shrubs and trees, mainly from Australia, but there are two species in Malaysia and one in New Zealand. They grow to heights between 1 and 15 meters, with a dense branching. The leaves are evergreen, simple and 1-2cm long.
The flowers are equally small, composed of five white, pink or red petals. The fruit is rounded, dry, and measures less than 1cm in diameter; inside it contains the seeds, which are fine.
Main species
The most popular are:
Leptospermum grandiflorum
In this shrub or small tree up to 6 meters high with leaves 1 to 3cm long by 3-7mm wide, with a plush underside and slightly shiny upper surface. The flowers are white, about 15mm wide, and bloom in autumn. The fruits are 8-10mm wide.
Leptospermum laevigatum
It is a shrub or small tree that measures 1,5 to 6 meters tall with small leaves of 10 to 15mm. The flowers are white, 15-20mm in diameter, and sprout in winter. Its fruits measure 7 to 8mm in diameter.
Leptospermum scoparium
It is the best known. It is popularly called manuka, tea tree or Leptospermum, and it is a shrub or tree that can reach 15 meters in height, but that generally does not exceed 5m. Its leaves are 7-20mm long by 2-6mm wide. The flowers are white or pink, and bloom in late summer / early fall.
What are the care for Leptospermum?
To have a well-cared for specimen, we recommend you follow our advice:
Location
They are plants that must be abroad, if possible in full sun although they can live well in bright areas without being directly exposed to the sun.
They do not need much space to develop normally, but if you are going to plant it near walls or walls, leaves a minimum separation of 50 centimeters, more if you choose to purchase a Leptospermum scoparium.
Earth
They grow in fertile, well-drained soils. Therefore:
- If grown in the garden: make a planting hole of about 50cm x 50cm (better if it is 1m x 1m), and mix the earth with worm castings (for sale here), which is a natural fertilizer rich in nutrients for plants.
- If grown in a pot: advisable to mix universal substrate (on sale here) with 20% perlite (for sale here) and 10% worm castings.
Irrigation
Moderate to frequent. It is necessary to avoid that the earth remains dry, since the Leptospermum does not bear too much the drought. To avoid problems, check the humidity of the soil with a meter, or with a stick (if it comes out practically clean when you extract it, water).
Keep in mind also that in a pot it will always be necessary to water something more than if it is on the ground, since having less soil it dries much more quickly. But be careful: that does not mean that it has to be planted in a container without holes or that a plate has to be put under it and kept overflowing; if you did so, its roots would rot and the plant would die quickly.
In addition, when watering avoid wetting the aerial part (stems, leaves, flowers) in order to avoid burns and fungi. The rains will not affect you at all; It is the best water that plants can drink, and any living thing in fact.
If you don't have a watering can, you can use one with the "artichoke", like this 4l one sold here.
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From the beginning of spring to the end of summer, it must be paid with organic and / or homemade fertilizers, such as guano, compost, etc.
Planting or transplanting time
In spring, when the risk of frost has passed.
In case you have it in a pot, change it every two or three years.
Plagues and diseases
It's very tough.
Multiplication
It multiplies by seeds and herbaceous cuttings in spring. Let us know how to proceed in each case:
Seeds
The seeds are sown in seedling trays or in pots with well watered seedbed substrate. You should not put many together; it is better if they are as far apart as possible.
Placing the seedbed outside will germinate in about three weeks.
Cuttings
Herbaceous branches are taken, then impregnated with rooting hormones (for sale here) and finally planted in pots with previously moistened vermiculite.
They will issue their own roots in a month.
Rusticity
They resist weak frosts, Being the Leptospermum scoparium more resistant being able to withstand up to -10ºC.
What uses do they have?
Ornamental
They are very decorative plants, which do not occupy much. They can be kept as hedges, or as isolated specimens. They are also worked as bonsai.
Culinary
The leaves of the Leptospermum scoparium they are boiled and then taken in infusion.
Medicinal
Manuka honey (L. scoparium) relieves symptoms of digestive, oral, and eye and ear infections. Of course, its use is not recommended in children under one year of age.
You can buy it here.
What did you think of the Leptospermum?
Hello, I have a Leptospermum scoparium for almost a year and all the lower leaves fell, leaving the branches dry but the tip is green and with flowers ... The truth is that it worries me because it seems that it dies but no .. It is in a large pot. Is it lack of any nutrient? Or is it normal? I wait your answer
Hello Marcela.
How often do you water it? It is important that, when watering, all the earth is moistened well. But you also have to avoid watering too often.
Therefore, it is best to check the humidity first, for example with a thin wooden stick. If when you remove it, it comes out with a lot of soil attached, it is not watered.
If you have questions, contact us. Or if you prefer, send photos to our facebook group and so more people can help you 🙂
Greetings.
Good morning, today 30/09/2020 I bought this shrub for the first time and bought it for its (pink) flowers without knowing anything about it, so the publication I read helps me a lot to take care of it and excites me to plant in a field what we have. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Very useful and very understandable everything written about this beautiful bush and its explanations.
Thank you very much Daniela. Enjoy your Leptospermum 🙂
I have experience with this shrub.
Its nobility is admirable.
As it is evergreen and has good resistance to frost typical of cold weather, it is ideal to place it (either in the ground or in a large pot) as the center of a flowerbed.
It keeps very well in full sun and its watering is moderate.
Currently I have one with pink flowers, although there are also red and white.
Indeed, Raúl. It is a very grateful plant.
Mine has brown leaves and very few leaves are left on the tree. What I do?
I just bought it, I hope it is as resistant as they say so I can enjoy it. thumb up.
Hello Miguel Angel.
We hope you enjoy your Leptospermum very much. In case you have doubts, contact us.
Greetings.