A tall tea tree with aromatic lemon-scented foliage and white spring blossom, often grown as a fragrant informal hedge. The leaves can be steeped for a citrus bush tea.
At a glance
- Plant type: Shrub
- Mature size: 5 m H × 3 m W
- Aspect: full sun and part shade or morning sun
- Water: happy on low water
- Frost: tender
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Australian native
About Lemon-scented Tea Tree
Botanically, Leptospermum petersonii is a fast-growing shrub in the Myrtaceae family, native to New South Wales and Queensland. It reaches around 5 m tall and 3 m wide at maturity, with evergreen and aromatic foliage. White flowers appear in spring and summer.
Where to grow Lemon-scented Tea Tree
Lemon-scented Tea Tree suits subtropical and warm-temperate climates and grows best in full sun and part shade or morning sun. It is frost tender, so protect it from hard frosts or grow it in a sheltered spot or pot. It also tolerates salt-laden coastal winds and is a genuinely water-wise choice.
Soil & planting
Lemon-scented Tea Tree does best in free-draining, loamy and sandy soil. Plant into well-prepared ground, firm the soil around the roots and water deeply to settle it in. For a screen, space plants about 1.8 m apart.
Watering & feeding
Lemon-scented Tea Tree is happy on low water, so once its roots are down it needs little supplementary water. As an Australian native, feed it only with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser. In its first year, water deeply once or twice a week to settle the roots in, then taper off as it establishes.
Pruning & care
Prune Lemon-scented Tea Tree after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. It clips well, so trim two or three times a year for a formal finish. Overall it is low maintenance.
Using Lemon-scented Tea Tree in the garden
Lemon-scented Tea Tree earns its place for a fast screen or informal hedge, its fragrance, feeding bees and pollinators and edible harvests.
Companion planting & design
For a cohesive, low-care bed, pair Lemon-scented Tea Tree with other plants that enjoy the same happy on low water and subtropical climate. Repeat it through a border to tie the planting together and give a sense of rhythm. It combines naturally with other Australian natives in a habitat or water-wise garden.
Buying Lemon-scented Tea Tree
Plant Sale lists Lemon-scented Tea Tree as tube stock, potted plants and seed. Stock isn't live yet — register your interest using the panel above and we'll email you the moment we have it ready.
Prefer to grow it yourself? See the Lemon-scented Tea Tree seed sowing guide for depth, timing and germination.