Eucalyptus has a beautiful aroma. It can be used for its aesthetic appearance to decorate your home and the beautiful fragrance will keep your rooms smelling fresh.
Fresh eucalyptus last around 3 weeks if kept in water as floral arrangements. Dried eucalyptus holds its shape very well and can be used for decoration in vases or turned into DIY wreaths or wall hangings during the holidays.
I much prefer eucalyptus over flowers because it's so resilient. Long after a bouquet has to be sent to the compost pile, a bunch of eucalyptus can still be used as decoration or turned into everything from a herbal tea to a natural dye. I like to make the most out of eucalyptus when I buy it from the big sprigs that can be turned into bouquets to the "scrap" leaves from the off-cuts.
If you're wondering what the best ways to use eucalyptus are, this DIY guide will show you.
Air Freshener
The most obvious way of making use of eucalyptus is as an air freshener. A few fresh springs in a vase (a glass jar works just as well!) placed in whatever room you like creates a wonderful aroma of eucalyptus that will last anywhere between 1-2 weeks. Once the leaves have dried, you can use them to make my other suggestions.
Shower Hanging
Hanging eucalyptus in your bathroom, especially in the shower near the spray, releases a wonderful fragrance that can help you unwind and relax. Tie a few sprigs of eucalyptus together and fix to the shower, hanging it downwards were the steam from the water can extract the eucalyptus oil. It's fine for the leaves to get a little damp but if they're constantly soaked they'll start to get moldy.
Linen Sachets
One of my favourite uses for the "scrap" eucalyptus leaves left after the stems have been snipped down is to turn them into linen sachets to keep your clothes smelling nice. Place the dried leaves in a little bag and hang in your wardrobe or drawers. You can add other ingredients like dried orange peel, lavender, or flowers.
Decongestant Steam
Fight congestion and headaches with eucalyptus steam. Put leaves into a pot with water and bring it to the boil. With a towel over your head, breathe in the steam for 10-15 minutes for sinus relief. It will work as a decongestant and steam facial.
Herbal Tea
Eucalyptus tea is known to contain flavonoids and tannins that have antioxidant properties. Dry out a handful of Blue Gum Tree eucalyptus leaves completely until you can crumble them. Add to a loose leaf tea infuser or teapot and steep for 10 minutes or so. Add a sweetener such as maple or agave syrup, if you you like. Sipping the woody, pine-like tea to relieve cold symptoms, chest congestion, and headaches.
Homemade Potpourri
In a bowl, add dried eucalyptus along with other complementary fragrances such as dried citrus peels, rose petals, chamomile flowers, sage, or star anise and cloves. A little old fashioned perhaps but a useful way to use up those spare eucalyptus sprigs and keep your home smelling lovely.
Spider Repellent
Apparently spiders do not like eucalyptus. If you'd rather not have them in your home, put dried eucalyptus leaves in a small mesh bag and place them in corners where you often find spiders. Personally, I like having spiders about as they help protect my home and my plants from pests.
Natural Dye
I've never tried it myself but eucalyptus, both the bark and the leaves, can be used as a natural dye. There are some interesting dye experiments that have been shared online so if you're curious about how to use eucalyptus as a dye, I recommend searching and doing a little reading.
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