Tea Tree, New Zealand (Leptospermum scoparium), packet of 50 seeds, Organic
$4.95
Family: Myrtle (Myrtaceae)
Hardy to Zones 8 to 11
(Manuka) Perennial evergreen shrub to small tree, growing to 10 feet tall, native to highland Tasmania, New Zealand and New South Wales in Australia. Comely plant produces a dense early summer display of blossoms colored white and tinged with red. Traditional usage (native NZ): stimulating rub for treating rheumatism and muscular pain. Bees visit the flowers and then make manuka honey, which is famed worldwide as a tasty medicinal honey, also used externally for treatment of burns, staph infections and sores that are slow to heal. Sow in spring, in the warm greenhouse, or anytime under lights. Sprinkle tiny seed on top of potting soil and tamp in, then keep warm and evenly moist until germination, which takes 2 to 3 weeks.
50 seeds/pkt., Certified Organically Grown
In stock
M –
What is the germination for this plant?
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Richo Cech –
Hi, Thanks for writing. This is a woody perennial. The seeds are recent and from our own production. Germination is good when the right conditions are met. richo
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David Lucas (verified owner) –
I’m in zone 6 in Ontario Canada. If I keep this as an indoor plant, will it survive if I put in out occasionally on my front porch in direct sunlight.
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Richo Cech –
Hi David,
They make a great potted plant and flower generously from an early age. Yes, you would care for it as yo8u describe. There’s more on this tree in “Growing Plant Medicine Vol 2,” which has an entire section on medicinal trees. One thing I can caution about, though, and I haven’t been able to figure out why it is, but sometimes a very robust specimen dies at up-potting. Its weird. Richo
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Aretha –
Hi, I live in zone 8b coastal South Carolina. Will the Manuka tree prosper in this area?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Aretha, in short yes, they love maritime exposure and 8b is plenty warm enough. too few plant this tree, it is exceptional. richo
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Sydney LeFay (verified owner) –
That’s all so helpful, thank you! I’m glad to hear you’ve had success (and similarly, desperately wishing/hoping for Spring to truly begin up here). Looking forward to getting the seeds started.
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Sydney LeFay (verified owner) –
If I’m in Oregon (zone 8b) is it possible to grow this outdoors? This site says it’s possible but other sites I’m reading say zones 9-10 only. I’m willing to pot it and move it, but I have a lovely little sunny spot for it if it can survive the outdoors. Thanks!
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Richo Cech –
Hi Sydney,
Thanks for writing. I’m here in southern oregon, submontane, in a zone 8b (and it does get really cold here, i’m wondering this spring if its EVER going to warm up) and I have outdoor NZ tea trees that are growing great. Coupla things: 1) obviously if you’re getting seeds you’re not trying to direct-seed this, it needs to be started with standard greenhouse culture and worked up to gallon size before transplanting out 2) I choose a sunny spot next to a stone wall, it makes a difference 3) my experience with most sources of information on the internet, especially things like wikipedia, is that these are just information echoes not based in real experience. Richo
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Donna –
Hi,
Does Manuka grow well indoors? And is it at least as beneficial as Australian Tea Tree in terms of microbial/astringent properties? Thanks.
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Richo Cech –
Hi donna,
Manuka can make a charming treelet when potted and kept in good light. It is its own medicine, often best when passed through a bee into the honey, but in any case yes, both herbs are antibacterial. Richo
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thenaekedgardener (verified owner) –
Zone 9a/9b Sub-tropical
Hello Richo,
I’m moving to N.E. Central Florida, where the summers are hot and very wet; with the average winters being mostly dry and sunny (January average 68° / 46°)…..
Do you know anything about growing Leptospermum scopari, or any other Mediterranean type plants in my sub-tropical new home!??
I’m from temperate Vancouver, Washington Zone 8b; with a beautiful mature Leptospermum scopari growing happily with Xhosa’s at the base….. I use the Xhosa’s as an indicator plant for when the Manuka’s about ready for a little water ( the Xhosa starts to wither only half way, then will bounce back immediately after a watering; and therefore the Manuka is always looking it’s best….. anyways, I think the Xhosa likes to dry out a bit time to time for stronger medicine and acclimating tougher; more drought tolerant plants!!
I thank you all!!
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Richo Cech –
Hi there, hopefully you can take some of your many plants with you. Sometimes plants from the dry tropics will do fine in moist tropics. There is plenty of sandy substrate in florida and this can help. Leptospermum isn’t really mediterranean in nature–it prefers moist coastal environs and is pretty adaptable as long as it doesn’t freeze too hard, which should not be a problem in FL. Happy trails! Richo
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