Tea Tree
The tea tree plant (Melaleuca alternifolia) is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to Australia. It is an erect, branching, large shrub to small tree with linear, mid-green leaves and spikes of white flowers from spring to early summer followed by small, woody, cup-shaped fruit.It grows along streams and in swampy places.
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Melaleuca alternifolia
Synonyms:
Melaleuca linariifolia var. alternifolia Maiden & Betche
COMMON NAME
Tea tree, Narrow-leaved tea tree, Narrow-leaved paperbark, Snow-in-summer
CLASSIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS
PLANT CARE AND PROPAGATION
Light Preference Partial Shade, Full Sun.
Locate the plant in front of a large, sunny window where it will receive several hours of direct sunlight every day.
Water Preference Tea trees grown indoors need lots of water. Water the tea tree plant as often as needed to keep the soil in the container moist. Never allow the tree to become bone dry.
Plant Growth Rate Fast Propagation Method Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings Soil: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. Ideal soil need to be low in nitrogen (don’t use fertilizer) + lime-free. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
USES
- The leaves are used to distill essential oil which acts as a natural antiseptics
- It is useful for treating stings, burns, wounds and skin infections of all kind.
- An essential oil obtained from the leaves and twigs is strongly antiseptic, diaphoretic and expectorant. It stimulates the immune system and is effective against a broad range of bacterial and fungal infections.
- Internally, it is used in the treatment of chronic and some acute infections, notably cystitis, glandular fever and chronic fatigue syndrome.
- It is used externally in the treatment of thrush, vaginal infections, acne, athlete's foot, verrucae, warts, insect bites, cold sores and nits.
Note: While tea tree oil has many beneficial qualities, the raw oil is toxic. Be cautious about melaleuca containers around kids and pets.
Sources
- https://homeguides.sfgate.com/grow-melaleuca-alternifolia-indoors-73889.html
- https://www.shootgardening.co.uk/plant/melaleuca-alternifolia
- https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/3/0/3019
- https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Melaleuca+alternifolia
- https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tea-trees/tea-tree-in-container.htm
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melaleuca_alternifolia
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00468-021-02131-w
- https://sgstrawberries.com/tag/melaleuca-alternifolia/
Disclaimer
The information in this website is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
More information
#MelaleucaAlternifolia, #Tea_tree