Tea Tree, New Zealand (Leptospermum scopari), packet of 50 seeds
$4.95
Family: Myrtle (Myrtaceae)
Hardy to Zones 7 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., Open Pollinated, Untreated, NO GMOs
In stock
Question
Ron (verified owner) –
You have the hardiness zone listed as 7-11 for Tea Tree, is this correct? Most sources I’ve referenced list this plant as US zones 9-11. I’d like to grow Tea Tree near my apiary but since it’s in zone 7a on the east coast I’m wondering if it will survive or not… Thanks!
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Richo Cech –
Actually most list this as a zone 8 minimum which is consistent with my experience seeing it growing very heartily on the oregon coast. You might be a bit cold for it–if you plant in sand and give a sand mulch I’ve found they overwinter much more reliably. I have a big one in one of my zone 7 gardens. richo
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Question
Gina –
I noticed the common name Manuka. Is this the plant from which bees extract the nectar to make Manuka honey?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hello Gina,
Yes, absolutely, sourceplant for manuka honey!
Richo
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verastar –
Hi! I see the various traditional usages, ban anyone advise which parts of the plant are used? Flowers, leaves, calyx, stems?
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Richo Cech –
the leaves
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Lydia –
How long does this take to grow from seed into a potted shrub? Here in Ithaca NY this would have to be grown indoors, but it would be a fun potted plant to have. Or maybe it wouldn’t thrive unless it had a nice southern window. Do these give off the tea tree smell from their pots?
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Richo Cech –
These reach potted cuteness relatively quickly.
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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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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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