Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil and irrigate occasionally to not at all once established. It is hardy to 14°F. An attractive and useful small tree that can be used in narrow spots or parking lots and rounded juvenile leaves are used in flower arrangements.

Eucalyptus polyanthemos has several subspecies but the common form grown in California (subspecies polyanthemos) comes from southeastern Australia where it grows on slopes and tablelands The name for the genus comes from the Greek words 'eu' meaning "well" and 'kalypto' meaning 'to cover' as with a lid and an allusion to the united calyx-lobes and petals that is called an operculum that forms a lid or cap that is shed when the flowers open. The specific epithet is from the ancient Greek words 'poly' meaning "many" and 'anthemon' meaning "flower'. It was introduced into California in 1871 by Stephen Nolan at his Belle View Nursery in Oakland, California and here it is commonly called Silver Dollar Gum in the US but in Australia is most often referred to as Red Box. We grew this attractive tree from 1980 until 2005. 

The information about Eucalyptus polyanthemos that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.

Please note that after 46 years in business, San Marcos Growers will be discontinuing nursery operations by the end of 2025 and the property will be developed for affordable housing.