Melaleuca alterniflora – Medicinal Tea Tree

The Medicinal Tea Tree (Melaleuca alterniflora) is an evergreen tree well known for its medicinal properties. Melaleuca alterniflora is native to Australia and has been used as part of traditional medicine for thousands of years. Most people have come to know this species well due to its common uses as an essential oil, or in antiseptic creams and cleaning products. It is a staple in most medicine cabinets.

Tea Tree essential oil is made by steam distilling the leaves of the plant. It is a natural antiseptic and can stimulate the immune system and is effective against both bacterial and fungal infections. This species is also used in wound treatment for cuts, stings, burns, warts, ache, insect bites, cold sores, etc.
Essential oil from this plant is often found in soaps, deodorants, mouth washes and other health products.

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GROWTH:

The Melaleuca alterniflora grows to an average height of 7 metres (21 feet) and a width of 4 metres (12 feet). This evergreen tree has small, thin, green leaves which are alternatively arranged along its branches. The leaves average in size between 10-30 mm (0.4-1.4 inch) in length and 1-2 mm (0.04-0.075 inch) wide.
Flowers are present during Spring and early Summer and are white in colour.

Medicinal Tea Tree cannot grow in fully shaded locations, they are native to warmer climates and need full sun to part sun positions. This species can tolerate temperatures down to -7°C and while it grows in warmer temperate and tropical climates, it prefers the milder sub-tropical regions near rivers and swampy areas; where it has more access to water. Although some websites say this species is reasonably drought tolerant, we are yet to witness this. They may become more resistant as they age but we have personally found they do not like the soil completely drying out at all.

This species is a hermaphrodite, meaning that it has both male and female reproductive organs within the same flower and are self-fertile.

Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.

 

FAMILY:

Myrtaceae

CLIMATE:

Warm Temperate, Tropical, sup-tropical

TEMPERATURE RANGE:

-6.7°C to 40°C / 20°F to 104°F

SOIL TYPE:

Moist soil.

LOCATION:

Full sun, will tolerate some shade.

HEIGHT:

Up to 7 metres (21 feet)

WIDTH:

Up to 4 metres (13 feet)

pH:

6.5-7.5

GROWTH TYPE:

Evergreen

WATER REQUIREMENTS:

Medium

POLLINATION:

Insect Pollinated. Self fertile with both male and female parts present on same flower.

MATURITY:

3-5 years

GERMINATION RATES:

51-84%

GERMINATION TIME:

1-4 weeks

SEEDS PER GRAM:

5000

MEDICINAL QUALITIES:

Yes

WEED POTENTIAL:

No

EDIBLE:

No

SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:

Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 5 years.

 

FACTS ABOUT MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA ( Medicinal Tea Tree )

Tea Tree has 12 times the antiseptic power of Phenol.

Australian Aborigines have used Tea Tree for centuries. For colds and other illnesses, they crush the leaves in their hands and then inhale the fragrance directly by placing their cupped hands over their mouth and nose, like a mask.

For more information regarding the benefits of Medicinal Tea Tree click here.