Melaleuca: The Plant Behind Tea Tree Essential Oil

The Melaleuca genus includes over 200 species of trees and shrubs, primarily native to Australia. Tea tree (M. alternifolia) is the most commercially important species.

Botanical Description

Melaleuca alternifolia is a small tree (up to 7 meters) with papery bark and narrow, aromatic leaves. It grows naturally in swampy, subtropical areas of New South Wales and Queensland, Australia.

Harvesting and Extraction

Tea tree plantations harvest the foliage every 12-18 months. The leaves are steam-distilled within hours of cutting to maximize oil quality and terpinen-4-ol content.