Tea tree

Melaleuca alternifolia

Narrow-leaved Australian melaleuca of coastal NSW wallum heath. Steam-distilled essential oil is a widely studied antimicrobial, dominated by terpinen-4-ol.

Hardiness ratings

Tea tree hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 8–11 −12.2 °C to 10 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H4 −10 °C to −5 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 8–9 −7 °C and warmer Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 4–7 0 °C and warmer Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Toxic if ingested — all medicinal use is topical
  • Severe skin reactions reported in pets, especially cats — keep undiluted oil away from animals
  • Always consult a qualified medical or herbal practitioner before using any plant medicinally

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Tea tree against your zones

Reference

Tea tree on Wikipedia