Eucalyptus citriodora - Lemon Scented Gum

Growing Citriodora in Saipan in 2018 and 19. Tropical zone 11. Seeds germinated fairly easily, ended up with around 50 out of 72 planted. Have grown to 6 inches slowly over 4 months. Fertilized with Fish Emulsion only. Bugs dont seem to mess with it much, and few have holes eaten in the leaves from some catapillar. The new growth is yellow with tints of purple but turns green within a couple of weeks. The stems are fragile and thin, topping only promotes the last set of nodes to branch, heavy topping would be needed to sculpt in bushy form. Leaf production is somewhat solitary and minimal. The heavy scent permeates the nostrils with intoxicating and invigorating flavor of citrus and lemon.

Wonderfully fragrant shrub or small tree used since aboriginal times. Common name of Lemon Myrtle also used for the Eucalyptus citriodora, but that really is a large tree and a fire risk here in Ca, albeit beautiful and fragrant. Backhousia citriodora has beautiful white fragrant flower clusters as well as leaves. It is easily managed and typically no more then 20 feet max. Its roots are not invasive and can be grown in containers. Here, few problems and fairly drought tolerant.

I love this tree!!! I grow it in a pot. It does grow fast but I cut it back all the time to bring the leaves indoors and then burn them to keep the mosquitoes away.

This is not a herb! It is a tree from temperate northeastern Australia, and will get to over 40 metres/120 feet tall. They are not frost tender and can cope with some snow. The trees are cultivated for essential oil and structural timber (like roof beams), and can grow up to 2 metres / 6.5 feet per year. Be aware that the Eucalyptus clade are the cause of bushfires like those in California (Google "Victoria Ash Wednesday fires").