Tea Tree — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Melaleuca alternifolia |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 7–21 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 18.3–26.7 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 365–1825 |
| Measured from | Transplant |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 121.9–243.8 |
| Mature height (cm) | 121.9–457.2 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 91.4–182.9 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 8–11 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Moderate |
| Sowing method | Transplant |
Growing directions
Plant Melaleuca alternifolia in full sun to light shade in moist, slightly acidic, well-drained to occasionally wet soil; it tolerates periodic waterlogging and moderate drought once established; prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage dense growth; harvest leaves in late summer to early fall when terpinen-4-ol content is highest. Tea Tree is the world's most commercially important medicinal Melaleuca — grown on a large scale in the coastal plains of northeastern New South Wales, Australia, where its essential oil is steam-distilled from the leaves and young stems. Tea tree oil is one of the most thoroughly researched of all plant essential oils, with well-documented antibacterial (effective against MRSA and other resistant strains), antifungal, and antiviral properties; it is used in skin care products, toothpastes, wound antiseptics, and household cleaning products worldwide. In the garden, it is an attractive small tree or large shrub with papery, peeling whitish bark, fine needle-like leaves, and showy cream-white bottlebrush flower spikes that are excellent for native bees and other pollinators. Tolerates poorly drained and seasonally wet soils better than most ornamentals, making it useful in low-lying areas of Gulf Coast gardens; it performs best in zone 9–10 in the United States. Caution: tea tree oil is toxic if ingested and should not be used internally.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
OpenPlantDB · melaleuca-alternifolia
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0