Eucalyptus is one of the most popular foliage choices in floristry, interiors and event styling. Loved for its soft fragrance, distinctive rounded or elongated leaves and long-lasting colour, it is a versatile choice for bouquets, installations and home décor.
With preserved eucalyptus now available in many shades, textures and species, choosing the right variety can elevate your arrangements and give them a premium, natural finish.
This guide explores the most popular types of eucalyptus for florists, stylists and home décor enthusiasts, including how they differ, what they pair well with, and how long they last once preserved.
What is Preserved Eucalyptus?
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees and shrubs native to Australia, with over 700 species ranging from small ornamental types to towering forest giants. In floristry, eucalyptus is valued for its soothing scent, subtle blue–green colouring and flexible stems.
When preserved, eucalyptus retains its natural texture and colour while becoming soft, pliable and long-lasting. This makes it ideal for arrangements that need to maintain shape and beauty for months or even years.
Preserved eucalyptus typically lasts one to three years indoors when kept away from moisture, direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
10 Popular Types of Preserved Eucalyptus for Floral and Interior Styling
Below is an extensive guide to the most commonly used eucalyptus varieties, how they look and where they work best.
1. Eucalyptus Cinerea (Silver Dollar Eucalyptus)
One of the most popular species, silver dollar eucalyptus, is recognised by its large, rounded leaves in a muted silver-green tone. The stems have a soft, velvety finish and a gentle fragrance.
Best for:
- Wedding bouquets and buttonholes
- Rustic, woodland or sage-toned designs
- Larger displays that need fullness
Once preserved, it keeps its velvety texture and subtle scent, offering a full, luxurious look that suits a wide range of styles. The foliage stays pliable for well over a year, holding its colour with very little fading or shedding.
2. Eucalyptus Parvifolia (Small-Leaved Eucalyptus)
Parvifolia features smaller, almond-shaped leaves aligned neatly along slender stems. It offers movement and texture without overpowering an arrangement.
Best for:
- Textural bouquets
- Minimalist arrangements
- Weaving into wreaths
Preservation enhances its natural movement without making it brittle, so it works well in designs that benefit from lightness and detail. It is one of the longest-lasting varieties, often keeping its shape and shade for up to two years.
3. Eucalyptus Baby Blue
A compact variety with spiral blue-toned leaves and a fresh, cooling scent. Baby Blue eucalyptus is naturally upright and adds height and line to bouquets.
Best for:
- Tall vases
- Fresh-feeling, airy arrangements
- Winter-themed styling
This compact, upright variety keeps its structure beautifully when preserved. The spiral leaves deepen slightly in tone, resulting in a rich blue-green that adds freshness and cool contrast to arrangements. Its straight stems make it ideal for adding height or creating clean lines in floral designs, and it remains flexible enough to handle with ease.
4. Eucalyptus Nicholii (Willow Eucalyptus)
Nicholii is known for its long, narrow, feather-like leaves that cascade gracefully from each stem. The movement and shape make it ideal for modern and naturalistic designs.
Best for:
- Loose, garden-style arrangements
- Hanging installations
- Statement foliage pieces
Nicholii is loved for its long, narrow, feather-like leaves that bring natural movement to any arrangement. Preservation helps lock in that soft cascade while keeping a light peppermint fragrance that lingers gently. The leaves stay slim and neat, making it well-suited to modern, airy and asymmetric styling.
FUN FACT: This variety is sometimes called the willow-leafed peppermint. Whilst commonplace to the point of being considered invasive in some parts of the world, it is actually endangered in its native Australia.
5. Eucalyptus Stuartiana (Gumdrop Eucalyptus)
Characterised by rounded, coin-shaped leaves attached by short stems at alternating points. This creates a delicate, almost whimsical silhouette.
Best for:
- Bridal bouquets
- Soft, romantic designs
- Layering textures
When preserved, its soft grey-green shade remains steady, and the leaves stay supple rather than stiff. It’s excellent for layering, especially where you want a gentle, floaty effect without crowding an arrangement.
6. Eucalyptus Pulverulenta (Baby Blue Branches)
Known for its pale, powdery coating and distinctive branch-like growth pattern. Pulverulenta offers structure and architectural shape.
Best for:
- Sculptural installations
- Modern, minimalist styling
- Statement vases
The preservation process enhances its architectural quality, allowing it to hold its form exceptionally well. Its pale blue grey tones soften slightly over time, giving a chalky, modern finish perfect for minimalist or statement pieces.
7. Eucalyptus Gunnii (Cider Gum)
Gunnii features rounded juvenile leaves which elongate with age, offering a mix of textures on one stem. The cooler tones make it popular in contemporary interiors.
Best for:
- Home décor
- Statement vessels
- Mixed foliage arrangements
Gunnii offers a mix of rounded juvenile leaves and more elongated mature leaves, giving each stem natural variation. Once preserved, it keeps its cool tone and remains one of the most durable options, often lasting two to three years.
The scent fades into a gentle, clean note, making it ideal for home décor and contemporary arrangements.
FUN FACT: Eucalyptus is native to Australia and can be found growing naturally at higher elevations. Gunnii, also called cider gum, is considered one of the most cold-hardy, single-trunk eucalyptus trees. It can be found growing in the UK because of its tolerance of the colder weather.
8. Eucalyptus Macrocarpa (Red-Flowered Eucalyptus)
Used mainly in high-end or artistic designs, macrocarpa features oversized leaves and dramatic seed pods alongside vibrant red flowers in its natural state.
Best for:
- Sculptural floral art
- Statement installations
- Modern texture-led arrangements
Known for its oversized leaves and dramatic seed pods, macrocarpa is a striking choice for bold, artistic designs. Even without its natural red blooms, preserved stems retain a sculptural presence.
The leaves develop a slightly more muted, dusty tone once preserved, adding depth and drama to contemporary arrangements.
9. Eucalyptus Robusta (Swamp Mahogany)
A broader-leaved species with a bold, structural appearance. Robusta has a deeper green colour that works well in earthy, grounded arrangements.
Best for:
- Natural interior displays
- Larger arrangements needing strong lines
- Earthy, neutral palettes
Robusta features broad, richly coloured leaves that add weight and definition to displays. Preservation keeps the leaves thick and sturdy, allowing them to age gracefully without curling or dulling too quickly.
Its deeper green works especially well in earthy and neutral palettes, creating a grounded, natural feel.
10. Spiral Eucalyptus
Recognised by its characteristic twisting, spiral-shaped leaves that run symmetrically along the stem. Its shape adds instant interest.
Best for:
- Contemporary design
- Tall installations
- Layering within dried flower bouquets
This variety is easily recognised by its twisting, spiral-patterned leaves running along the stem.
The preserved version retains this unique form completely, making it a reliable way to introduce shape and rhythm to arrangements. Its colour holds well, and the sculptural quality makes it ideal for modern or tall designs.
How to Use Preserved Eucalyptus
You may be a seasoned user of preserved eucalyptus, or you could be completely new to it. Either way, there’s always something out there to inspire your creativity!
We are fortunate enough to supply many talented florists and designers, and it is fair to say that most of them purchase our preserved eucalyptus at least once a year!
It's a firm favourite for wedding bouquets, arrangements, and venue décor. By the time Christmas arrives, the new eucalyptus season is in full swing, and the colour and scent work well for festive designs.
How to Care for Preserved Eucalyptus
Preserved eucalyptus is one of the easiest foliage types to maintain, offering long-lasting colour, shape and flexibility. Unlike fresh stems, preserved foliage does not require water and will remain soft and supple for months or even years when cared for correctly.
Avoid moisture
Preserved eucalyptus contains natural plant fibres that have been treated with eco-safe preservation solutions. Exposure to moisture or steam can cause the stems to soften or occasionally become tacky.
Keep stems away from humid environments such as bathrooms, commercial kitchens or areas with persistent condensation.
Keep out of direct sunlight
Natural and dyed preserved eucalyptus can fade if displayed in strong sunlight for long periods.
Place arrangements in shaded or indirect light to maintain their colour, especially for dyed varieties where pigment saturation is key.
Dust gently
A soft brush, feather duster or gentle shake is enough to keep preserved eucalyptus looking fresh.
Avoid using water or chemical cleaners, as both can damage the preserved surface.
Store upright
Storing eucalyptus upright helps the stems maintain their natural shape and prevents unwanted bends.
For event florists and B2B buyers storing bulk stems, keep them in a cool, dry environment in their original packaging until needed.
How long does preserved eucalyptus last?
When kept in the right conditions, preserved eucalyptus typically lasts one to three years, making it a cost-effective and reliable choice for installations, retail displays and long-term décor.
How is Eucalyptus Preserved?
The preservation process is not the same as drying. A preserved stem or flower will retain the look and feel of a fresh product, and the natural moisture is replaced with a mixture of glycerine and vegetable dye.
To preserve eucalyptus, stems are trimmed, cleaned and dried before being placed in the coloured glycerine solution.
Over the course of up to two weeks, the natural moisture will gradually be exchanged for the preserving liquid, and its colour enhanced with the dye - if no dye was added, the end result would be a murky grey-brown and not aesthetically pleasing.
Excess preservation fluid is allowed to drain off, so that the product stabilises. Once stable, it can be carefully stored for future use or worked into your designs.
Care needs to be taken with the ambient temperature and humidity the product is exposed to, as fluctuations can destabilise it, and the liquid may leach from stem bases and weak leaf joints.
Although the preserving solution isn’t harmful, it is naturally sticky, and the vegetable dyes can stain.
If stems become dusty, don’t use water to clean them; just carefully wipe or dust. Preserved eucalyptus stems can last for well over a year if they are cared for, and the scent lasts, too!
What is the Difference Between Preserved and Dried Eucalyptus?
When sourcing eucalyptus for floral design or interior styling, the main options are preserved, dried and artificial. Each offers its own advantages, appearance and level of flexibility, so the best choice depends on the setting and the finish you want to achieve.
Preserved eucalyptus
Preserved eucalyptus is real foliage that has been treated with a plant-based preservation solution, replacing the natural sap with a biodegradable mixture that keeps the stems soft and fresh-looking.
It lasts one to three years, holds strong, consistent colour and has a premium feel that makes it ideal for weddings, retail displays and long-term interior décor.
Because it stays pliable, it is particularly useful for arches, installation work and tablescapes where movement and shaping are important.
Dried eucalyptus
Traditional air-dried eucalyptus has no additional treatments, so stems often become brittle and the finish less refined, which is why we focus on preserved options.
While it can add a soft, earthy look, the foliage is more fragile, colours fade faster, and it doesn’t cope well with bending or sculpting in detailed designs. For long-lasting, flexible arrangements, we recommend choosing preserved eucalyptus.
Customer creations
There’s nothing nicer than catching up with our customers to see how they use our products. India from DRIED has many products on her website that use the different eucalyptus varieties we offer.
DRIED is a small, independent business based in Edinburgh, Scotland, founded by India and born out of a love for all things floral. Like many people, we’ve fallen head over heels for dried flowers, grasses & seed heads and the beauty they deliver year after year.
Driven by sustainability, we curate beautiful dried & preserved flower arrangements and bunches that are designed to last.
Whether it’s a bouquet to brighten up your space, a lasting gift for someone special or beautiful blooms for your wedding or event, all our dried flowers are sourced sustainably and responsibly and delivered straight to your door.
India’s bespoke arrangements and designs are available through her website, and we think you will agree that they are lovely! Using a blend of different eucalyptus varieties and dried flowers and foliage, India creates some absolutely gorgeous bouquets, wreaths and décor - make sure to take a look at her wedding collection.
Are you ready to get creative?
We hope you’re feeling inspired to make something amazing with preserved eucalyptus. Why not share your designs and makes with us on social media? There’s nothing we like more than to be tagged on Instagram when you’ve made something beautiful using our products. If you would like to have your design or installation featured on our story, just get in touch!
Preserved Eucalyptus FAQs
How long does preserved eucalyptus last?
When kept in the right conditions, specifically indoors and away from moisture, preserved eucalyptus typically lasts between one and three years. This makes it a cost-effective choice for long-term décor compared to fresh stems.
Do I need to water preserved eucalyptus?
No. Unlike fresh stems, preserved foliage does not require water. In fact, you should avoid water and humidity entirely, as moisture can cause the stems to soften, become tacky, or leach liquid.
What is the difference between preserved and dried eucalyptus?
The main difference is texture and flexibility. Preserved eucalyptus is treated with a glycerine solution, allowing it to remain soft, pliable, and fresh-looking. Dried eucalyptus is simply air-dried, which preserves the rustic look but makes the leaves brittle and prone to fading.
How do I clean and care for my arrangement?
Maintenance is minimal. To clean the leaves, simply dust gently with a soft brush or feather duster. To prevent fading or damage, keep the stems out of direct sunlight and away from humid areas like bathrooms.
Which eucalyptus is best for wedding bouquets?
Eucalyptus Cinerea (Silver Dollar) is the most popular choice for weddings due to its soft, velvety texture and fullness. Eucalyptus Stuartiana (Gumdrop) is also excellent for bridal bouquets because of its delicate, coin-shaped leaves.