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. Dig in plenty of compost before planting, water in well, and mulch to keep roots cool. For a screen, space plants about 1.8 m apart.
Watering & feeding
Lemon-scented Tea Tree performs well with relatively little water once established. As an Australian native, feed it only with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser. During the first growing season, water deeply whenever the upper soil begins to dry, then reduce the frequency as roots establish.
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
Combine Lemon-scented Tea Tree with plants that share its preference for happy on low water and subtropical climate. Use an odd-numbered group where space allows, or repeat it at intervals through a longer bed. 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. Current stock is confirmed manually, so register interest above before planning around a specific size.
Prefer to grow it yourself? See the Lemon-scented Tea Tree seed sowing guide for depth, timing and germination.
