Lemon-scented gum

Sun

Full sun; shelter young trees from cold, drying winds.

Water

Water regularly while establishing. Established trees tolerate drought, though prolonged dry conditions can cause leaf and branch shedding.

Soil

Well-drained sandy, loamy or gravelly soil; tolerates relatively poor soil but dislikes waterlogging.

Height

80-130 ft (24-40 m)

Spread

30-60 ft (9-18 m)

Flowers

Clusters of small, creamy-white flowers, mainly in winter and spring; timing varies with climate.

Foliage

Evergreen, narrow, glossy green adult leaves with a strong lemon scent when crushed; juvenile leaves are broader and often bristly.

Growth

Fast in warm conditions with adequate moisture.

Care needed

Medium

• Pollinators
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• Fragrant

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Hard

Toughness

Needs looking after

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   13 ft (3.8 m)

2. After 1 year

   20 ft (6 m)

3. After 2 years

   27 ft (8.2 m)

4. After 3 years

   34 ft (10.3 m)

5. After 5 years

   48 ft (14.7 m)

About 13 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Toxic

Native to

Australia

Growth rate

Fast

• Plant only where the mature crown and roots have ample room, well away from buildings, drains, pools and overhead wires.
• Water deeply during dry spells for the first two growing seasons; allow the surface soil to dry between waterings.
• Apply a broad layer of organic mulch, keeping it clear of the trunk.
• Avoid heavy feeding; use a modest amount of slow-release fertiliser in spring only if growth is poor.
• Stake only if needed for stability, using flexible ties, and remove supports once the roots hold the tree firmly.
• Keep container plants in a bright, frost-free place over winter and water sparingly without letting the root ball dry completely.

Pruning. In late winter or early spring, after severe frost risk has passed, lightly train young trees to a sound framework and remove damaged or crossing shoots. Do not top a mature tree; have large limbs and structural defects assessed by a qualified arborist.

Spring

Plant after frost risk has passed, or repot young container specimens before strong growth begins.

Late spring

Renew mulch and check that stakes and ties are not rubbing or constricting the trunk.

Summer

Water young trees deeply during dry weather and check containers frequently.

Autumn

Move container plants under bright, frost-free cover before the first frost.

Winter

Clear fallen bark and branches from paths and gutters; arrange an arborist inspection if major limbs show cracks or dieback.

Late winter

Lightly prune young trees where frost risk has passed; avoid unnecessary cuts on mature trees.

• A specimen tree in a large lawn, with enough open space to appreciate its pale trunk.
• A tall canopy above Australian native shrubs and grasses in a spacious, sunny garden.
• A vertical accent behind low, drought-tolerant planting in warm-climate landscapes.
• A temporary container foliage plant for a sunny terrace, with frost-free winter accommodation.

Garden styles it suits: Australian native, Architectural minimal, Modern, Mediterranean, Sensory garden and Wildlife garden.

Plant it with: Lomandra, Flax lily, Kangaroo grass, Westringia and Kangaroo paw.

Wildlife: Flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and other insects and can attract nectar-feeding birds in Australia. Mature trees provide perches and shelter.

• Frost damage: young shoots and leaves can blacken after freezing; protect young plants and wait until spring growth shows the extent of damage before pruning.
• Root decline in wet soil: avoid poorly drained sites and excessive irrigation; do not bury the root flare.
• Psyllids and scale insects: inspect distorted leaves and sticky foliage; encourage natural predators and use a labelled horticultural oil on reachable infestations if needed.
• Falling limbs and bark: keep seating and play areas away from beneath mature trees, clear debris regularly and have suspect limbs assessed professionally.

Leaves and essential oil are toxic if eaten by cats, dogs, horses or people. Concentrated eucalyptus oil is particularly dangerous and can cause serious poisoning, including neurological symptoms; keep it away from children and pets and seek urgent medical or veterinary advice after ingestion.

Where it spreads. Can self-seed beyond gardens and is regarded as an environmental weed in parts of south-western Western Australia. Avoid planting beside bushland where local authorities discourage it.

• Spotted gum (Corymbia maculata)

  Has a more conspicuously mottled trunk, and its crushed leaves lack the strong lemon scent.

• Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus)

  Young plants have broad, blue-grey leaves in opposite pairs; the scent is medicinal rather than distinctly lemony, and mature trunks commonly retain rough bark near the base.

The species name citriodora means lemon-scented, referring to the citrus smell released by the leaves.

Propagation. Usually grown from seed, surface-sown or very lightly covered in a warm, bright place. Grow seedlings in deep containers and plant out while young, before roots become congested.

Accepted botanical name

Corymbia citriodora

In the US and Canada

Introduced in Hawaii, the lower 48 states, Pacific Basin and Puerto Rico.

Native range

New South Wales and Queensland.

Measured

Average height 1470 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.