Backhousia Citriodora – Lemon Myrtle

Description

Backhousia citriodora – Lemon Myrtle

Family: Myrtaceae
Packet Size: 10 seeds

Description

Backhousia citriodora, commonly called Lemon Myrtle, is an Australian rainforest shrub or small tree famous for its strongly aromatic, lemon-scented leaves. Native to subtropical Queensland, it produces attractive white flower clusters and lush green foliage, often with reddish new growth.

Lemon Myrtle is grown as a scented garden specimen, informal screen or productive leafy plant. Its leaves are used to flavour teas and foods, although seed-grown plants can differ in fragrance and essential-oil composition; select and identify plants carefully if grown for culinary harvesting.

Key Features

• Flowers: Clusters of fluffy-looking white to creamy-white flowers.
• Foliage: Glossy to mid-green leaves with a distinctive strong citrus fragrance when crushed.
• Habit: Bushy rainforest shrub or small tree, potentially reaching around 8 m in favourable sites.
• Garden uses: Scented feature planting, screens and suitable herb or edible gardens.

Growing Conditions

• Position: Full sun to light or dappled shade, with shelter from strong drying winds.
• Soil: Fertile, mulched and well-drained soil with steady moisture.
• Watering: Water regularly, particularly while young and in hot, dry weather.
• Climate: Best in warm, humid temperate to subtropical conditions; shelter young plants from frost.
• Pruning: Prune lightly to encourage branching and maintain an accessible leafy shape.

Seed Propagation

• Prepare: Use fresh, viable seed where possible; Lemon Myrtle seed can be slow and inconsistent to germinate.
• Mix: Fill a tray or small pots with moist, clean, finely textured, freely draining seed-raising mix.
• Sow: Sprinkle the small seeds over the surface and lightly press them in; add at most a very fine dusting of mix.
• Position: Keep in warm, bright filtered light away from harsh direct afternoon sun.
• Moisture: Maintain even light moisture and good airflow, avoiding waterlogging or complete drying.
• Germination: Emergence may be irregular and can take several weeks or longer; do not discard trays too soon.
• Transplant: Carefully transfer seedlings once they have true leaves and enough roots to handle.

Growing Note: Seedlings may differ in their fragrance and essential-oil chemistry.