Question
I successfully planted a small cutting last spring and it grew very well and quickly out on my balcony which has a southern exposure.  In the fall I brought it inside and watered it once a week with tap water and it continued to do well until this past month (December) all the leaves have dried and fallen. I was wondering if it is because it is a deciduous plant or ,it can't be grown indoors?? I live in Toronto.Canada.It is approx 3'tall and the pot it is growing in is 12" tall w. a diameter of 8".The stems on the plant still look very healthy.It is in the southern window off the balcony. It also occurred to me that it might need a "rest" period. I would be grateful for any advice you could give me about this lovely eucalyptus plant.
Thank you, Judith England.

Answer
Judith,

Because it is getting a lot less sun indoors and the shorter days your plant is semi dormant. It needs to be kept nearly dry this time of year. It is very dry in the tropical area where they grow in the shorter days of the winter months with only occasional downpours. You need to let it get very dry between waterings and only water every 2-3 or even 4 weeks when it is dry. Too much water during the winter kills more plants than too little. Most eucalyptus is not deciduous. Remove the drain tray and drain off as much water as possible and dry it out as quickly as you can. Then watch for buds and signs of new growth. Just give it a cup of water every 2-3 weeks keeping it barely moist until you see signs of growth. If it starts growing again you can give it a little more water. You may have some root rot so it may have to regrow some roots. It will do that better in nearly dry soil better than in wet soil. Good luck.

Darlene