Hortiforum

General Info – Lemon Myrtle

A highly ornamental member of the Myrtle family, Lemon Myrtle is indigenous to the subtropical coastal rainforests of Queensland. In these regions, the fragrant and intensely flavoured leaves have long been cherished for their Lemony essence. Traditionally, these leaves are employed to craft a Citrus-infused tea, and their versatile use extends to baking, ice creams, and sauces.
Lemon Myrtle stands out as an ornamental specimen, especially during its flowering phase, when the plant is adorned with abundant bunches of fragrant, fluffy, cream-coloured flowers. While these plants can attain heights of 20 metres in the wild, they commonly maintain a more manageable height of 5 metres in garden settings. Regular harvesting of the aromatic leaves facilitates control over the height and shape of the plant which naturally forms a tidy shrub
Lemon Myrtle is intolerant of alkaline soils, displaying suboptimal performance in such conditions. These plants thrive in slightly acidic, well-draining soil, though they exhibit considerable tolerance for various soil types as long as drainage is not compromised. Lemon Myrtle thrives when consistently well-watered throughout the year and may necessitate additional watering during dry spells. Ideal locations are those sheltered from harsh, cold, drying winds. Notably, Lemon Myrtle has demonstrated its adaptability, flourishing in regions as cool as Canberra and the Latrobe Valley. In the botanic gardens of the former, it has showcased resilience by tolerating temperatures as low as -8 degrees Celsius. Owing to its small size and given the leaves are the harvested product, Lemon Myrtle are well-suited to container cultivation like the Lemon Verbena or Bay Tree.
With its delightful Lemon-scented leaves and beautiful white flower bunches, Lemon Myrtle stands out not only as one of the most ornamental bushfoods but also as one of the most practical, providing edible leaves year-round.

Plant Profile/Properties