Lemon Myrtle - Backhousia citriodora

Lemon Myrtle - Backhousia citriodora — Australia's Finest Native Aromatic Tree

Lemon Myrtle is one of Australia's most versatile and rewarding native trees. The foliage carries an intensely fresh lemon fragrance — brush a leaf and the scent is unmistakable. It's used in cooking, aromatherapy, and native gardens alike, making it one of the few truly multi-purpose trees you can grow in SEQ.

Beyond the fragrance, it's a beautiful, dense-canopied tree that works equally well as a feature specimen, a privacy screen, or a hedging plant. Creamy-white flower clusters appear in summer, attracting native birds and pollinators. Fast growing, long-lived, and surprisingly tough for such an ornamental tree.

Why You'll Love It

• Intense lemon fragrance — foliage is strongly aromatic, used in cooking and teas
• Creamy-white summer flowers — attracts birds, bees, and native pollinators
• Dense canopy — works as privacy screening or feature planting
• Fast growing — gets to a meaningful size quickly in SEQ conditions
• Versatile — suits screening, hedging, feature planting, or culinary use
• Truly Queensland native — naturally occurs in SEQ rainforest margins

Landscape Uses

• Feature or specimen tree in garden beds
• Privacy screening and tall hedging
• Rainforest-style and native garden plantings
• Culinary herb garden — leaves used fresh or dried
• Poolside planting — fragrance near entertaining areas

Available Sizes

• 140mm Pot — affordable starter for a hedge run or garden planting
• 300mm Bag — well-established plant with faster establishment
• 45L Bag — advanced specimen with immediate impact
• 100L Bag — mature tree for instant feature presence
• 200L Bag — large advanced specimen — near-instant privacy and presence

Growth & Conditions

• Mature height: 5–8m (can be maintained shorter with pruning)
• Mature width: 3–5m
• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Well-drained; prefers slightly acidic soils
• Watering: Regular during establishment; moderate once mature
• Climate: Perfectly suited to SEQ subtropical conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I actually cook with the leaves?
Yes. Lemon Myrtle leaves are used in marinades, teas, baked goods, and as a lemon flavour substitute. The citral content is higher than lemongrass — it's genuinely useful in the kitchen.

Will it work as a hedge?
Absolutely. It responds well to trimming and can be shaped into a formal hedge. Planted 1–1.5m apart it forms a dense, fragrant screen.

How fast does it grow?
Fast for a native — expect 50–80cm per year in good conditions in SEQ. The 45L size gets to meaningful screening height within 2–3 years.

Locally supplied and acclimatised to South East Queensland conditions. Need it installed? Key Co Landscapes offers professional tree installation across SEQ.