Practical
Plants

Melaleuca hypericifolia

Tea Tree

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Melaleuca genus in the family Myrtaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Myrtaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
3 m
Spread
3 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An essential oil obtained from the fresh leaves and twigs is anthelmintic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, diaphoretic and highly stimulant[9]. It is used internally as a stimulating expectorant in laryngitis and bronchitis, as an antiseptic in cystitis and as an anthelmintic for round worms[9]. It is used externally to treat various skin infections[9]. It relieves headaches[2].

Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Stimulant

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants can be used for hedging in climates suitable for their growth[3].

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Environment

Range
Australia - New South Wales, S. Queensland.
Habitat
Usually on coastal headlands in wet soils, it is also found on moist ledges and cliffs on the Great Dividing range[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - surface sow in spring or autumn onto a pot of permanently moist soil in a warm greenhouse. Emmerse in 5cm of water and do not water from overhead. Grow on until the seedlings are 0.5cm tall then remove from the water and pot up a week later. Seedlings are liable to damp off when grown this way, sowing the seed thinly, good ventilation and hygiene are essential for success[7]. Grow the plants on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse and then plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving the plants some protection from the cold for their first few winters outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe lateral shoots with a heel, July/August in a frame[7].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a fertile, well-drained moisture retentive lime-free soil in full sun[5]. Prefers a soil that does not contain much nitrogen[6]. Succeeds in heavy shade and moist soils in Australian gardens but does not withstand heavy frosts[3]. Tolerates salt spray[3]. A very ornamental plant[1], but it can be difficult to establish[4] and is unlikely to be hardy in many areas of the country. Plants can tolerate temperatures down to about -5°c[8]. Seed takes about 12 months to develop on the plant, the woody seed capsules persist for 3 or more years[7]. Any pruning is best done after the plants have flowered with the intention of maintaining a compact habit[7]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[7]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Lassak. E. V. and McCarthy. T. Australian Medicinal Plants.

    ↩1↩2

  3. Wrigley. J. W. and Fagg. M. Australian Native Plants. Collins. (Australia) 1988-00-00 ISBN 0-7322-0021-0

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Holliday. I. and Hill. R. A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Frederick Muller Ltd. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-85179-627-3

    ↩

  5. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

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  6. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  8. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5

    ↩

  9. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

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