Eucalyptus – Drying, Décor Ideas & Wedding

Drying, décor ideas, wedding & care

MoBlumen Editorial Team · 6 min read · Greenery & Décor

No bouquet, no wreath, no wedding without eucalyptus — how an Australian tree conquered European floristry.

Ten years ago, eucalyptus was still a niche product in floristry. Today, no flower shop would be complete without it. Its silvery-green foliage, subtle fragrance, and the fact that it looks almost as beautiful dried as it does fresh — all of this has made it the most popular foliage in modern floristry.

Here you’ll find the most common eucalyptus varieties, two simple drying methods, and why it works so beautifully for weddings.

Eucalyptus varieties in floristry

Not all eucalyptus looks the same. In floristry, we mainly work with these varieties:

Eucalyptus cinerea (Silver Dollar) — round, silvery-blue leaves on long stems. The classic choice for bouquets and wreaths. Looks just as beautiful fresh as it does dried.

Eucalyptus populus — larger, heart-shaped leaves. Slightly greener than Cinerea. Popular for table decorations and as a wedding garland.

Eucalyptus parvifolia (Baby Blue) — small, round leaves, very dense. Perfect as foliage filler in compact bouquets.

Eucalyptus nicholii (Willow-Leafed) — narrow, elongated leaves reminiscent of willow. Elegant and airy, ideal for loose, natural arrangements.

Drying eucalyptus

Drying eucalyptus is almost too easy. There are two methods:

Air-Drying: Hang the branches upside down in small bunches in a dry, airy place. After two to three weeks, it will be dry. The leaves keep their shape, but become slightly duller and browner. The fragrance lasts for months.

Glycerin Method: Stand the stems in a mixture of one part glycerin and two parts hot water. The plant absorbs the glycerin, so the leaves stay soft and supple instead of becoming brittle. The colour deepens to an almost olive green. This method takes one to two weeks and gives the most beautiful result.

Eucalyptus Wedding

The eucalyptus wedding has been one of the biggest trends in wedding floristry for years. Eucalyptus brings texture, fragrance, and a natural elegance that suits almost any style — from rustic to modern.

Typical wedding uses: as a table runner (long branches loosely laid across the table), in the bridal bouquet as greenery between roses and peonies, as a garland on chairs or arches, and as a wreath for the door or altar.

The advantage: eucalyptus doesn’t wilt as quickly as other flowers. Even at an outdoor summer wedding, it still looks beautiful by the end of the evening.

Eucalyptus Wreath

A eucalyptus wreath is one of the easiest DIY flower projects. All you need is a metal ring (available from craft stores), binding wire, and fresh eucalyptus branches. Wrap the branches around the ring in small bunches, always in the same direction. In just 20 minutes, you’ll have a beautiful wreath that looks lovely both fresh and dried.

At MoBlumen, ready-made eucalyptus wreaths are available for EUR 35.90 — hand-tied and ready to hang.

Eucalyptus as a houseplant?

Eucalyptus gunnii (cider gum eucalyptus) can be kept as a container plant in Austria. It tolerates light frost (down to –5°C), but in cold winters it must be overwintered frost-free. In Vienna’s milder areas, it sometimes survives outdoors — but it’s not something to rely on. As a houseplant, it needs plenty of light and fresh air.

Frequently asked questions about eucalyptus

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