Prefers a sunny position in a moderately fertile well-drained moisture retentive circum-neutral soil. Dislikes clay or chalk soils but succeeds in most other soils. Tolerates poor soils, especially those low in mineral elements. Dislikes shade. Tolerates dry soils and also drought once it is established. One of the hardiest Eucalyptus species, it is very frost resistant, tolerating long periods down to -14°c and short periods down to -18°c. Eucalyptus species have not adopted a deciduous habit and continue to grow until it is too cold for them to do so. This makes them more susceptible to damage from sudden cold snaps. If temperature fluctuations are more gradual, as in a woodland for example, the plants have the opportunity to stop growing and become dormant, thus making them more cold resistant. A deep mulch around the roots to prevent the soil from freezing also helps the trees to survive cold conditions. The members of this genus are remarkably adaptable however, there can be a dramatic increase in the hardiness of subsequent generations from the seed of survivors growing in temperate zones. A very ornamental tree, it is very fast growing when young and requires shelter from strong winds if it is not to become very wind-shaped. Trees can tolerate salt-laden winds. The plant has juvenile foliage which is quite different from the adult leaves. The leaves, especially when bruised, are very aromatic. Plants respond well to coppicing. Commonly planted in S.W. Europe as a timber tree and also for shelter, soil conservation and as an anti-malarial measure since it will dry out wet land that is suitable for mosquitoes to breed in. Plants are shallow-rooting and, especially in windy areas, should be planted out into their permanent positions when small to ensure that they do not suffer from wind-rock. They strongly resent root disturbance and should be container grown before planting out into their permanent position. Eucalyptus monocultures are an environmental disaster, they are voracious, allelopathic and encourage the worst possible attitudes to land use and conservation. The flowers are rich in nectar and are a good bee crop.

The sap (it is a stem exudate according to some reports) has a sweet taste. The sap is obtained by making wounds in the bark during spring. A tapped trunk yields up to ½ litre a day. Another report says that the sap exudes from the trunk and can be drunk directly or fermented into a cider. This same report says that the plant also produces an edible manna.

Seed - surface sow February/March in a sunny position in a greenhouse. Species that come from high altitudes appreciate 6 - 8 weeks cold stratification at 2°c. Pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as the second set of seed leaves has developed, if left longer than this they might not move well. Plant out into their permanent positions in early summer and give them some protection from the cold in their first winter. The seed can also be sown in June, the young trees being planted in their final positions in late spring of the following year. The seed has a long viability.

Alpine areas on rocky well-drained soils, sometimes also found on marshy soils.