Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 8-11 where plants are grown in medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates drought. In the St. Louis area, it is usually grown from seed as a container plant, a houseplant or a garden annual. Container plants can be placed on patios or sunk into the ground to the lip, but must be brought indoors in fall before first frost for overwintering.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Corymbia citriodora, commonly called lemon-scented gum is native to Australia. It is a tall, slender, broadleaf evergreen tree that will grow 60-100’ tall in its native habitat. Features smooth gray bark and narrow lance-shaped yellowish-green leaves (to 7” long) that are lemon-scented. Small white flowers in 3-flowered umbels. Flowers rarely appear on young trees or container plants. In the St. Louis area, it may be grown as an annual from seed, typically growing rapidly to 6-8’ tall in one growing season. Synonymous with Eucalyptus citriodora.
Specific epithet means lemon-scented.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Garden annual. Container plant. Houseplant.