Description
The cajeput tree is a relatively wellknown plant, and is nowadays most commonly cultivated for the production of cajeput essential oil.
Cajeput tree is a common name used for certain classification of tree that has a white spongy bark that is flexible and can easily flake off the trunk.
Plant Specifications
| Common Name | Melaleuca quinquenervia,paperbark tree, punk tree, or the white bottle brush tree. |
| Maximum Reachable Height | 25.00 to 40.00 feet |
| Flower Colour | Creamy white |
| Bloom Time | June to October |
| Difficulty Level | easy to grow |
Planting and care
Water the seedlings regularly throughout the growing season. They require about 1 inch of water per week for best growth.Thin seedlings to 6 inches apart so that they have room to develop healthy leaves.Once the plants are established, they do not need as much water per week. Keep them moist, but be careful not to overwater them.
Cajeput care
Do not grow in summer heat as the plants will bolt (so it is past harvesting). The leaves that grow on bolted plants tend to be bitter in flavor.
| Sunlight | Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| Watering | Medium to wet |
| Soil | well-drained soil |
| Temperature | 50 F |
| Fertilizer | Apply any organic fertilizer |
Cajeput special feature
Not recommended for planting in areas where it is likely to be invasive.
The cajeput trees are a source of cajeput oil in Southeast Asia, an essential oil that is extracted from the leaves and twigs of the tree. Cajeput oil is primarily used in aromatherapy as an expectorant, painkiller, antifungal oil and skin mite reducer.
Cajeput uses
Ornamental Use:
- The plant is used for ornamental purpose
Medicinal Use:
- Cajeput oil is used to treat colds, headaches, toothache, and tumors