How to grow Lemon Myrtle in Australia
A frost-tender shrub for full sun to part shade in well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Water regularly while young and during dry spells, and mulch to hold moisture around the roots.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 8 litres a week, watered every 4 days
- Spacing: 300 cm
- Time to harvest: 365 days (about 1 year)
- Time to germinate: 21 days
- Soil pH: 5 to 6.5
- Frost tolerance: Half hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to March | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to March | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | September to March | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | Not suited | Australian native but frost-sensitive; Melbourne winter kills plants. Unsuitable. |
| Adelaide & SA | September and October | Plant Sep to Oct after frost in a sheltered spot. Protect young trees from frost and hot north winds; water well through summer. |
| Perth & WA | March to May, September and October | Plant in autumn with the first rains, or Sep to Oct. Shelter from hot easterlies and water deeply through summer. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. Subtropical rainforest native, killed by hard frost. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Lemon Myrtle unsuitable for Canberra: tropical Australian native; frost-intolerant. Use lemon verbena or lemon tree instead. |
| North Queensland | September to March | Wet season. Lemon myrtle is tropical native; thrives in heat and humidity. |
| Darwin & Top End | September to March | Wet season. Lemon myrtle is tropical native; thrives in heat and humidity. |
Companion planting
Good companions
- Native plants
- Finger lime
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Pick mature leaves any time the tree is in active growth. Strip or snip individual leaves or small sprigs, and regular light picking keeps fresh growth coming.
Storage
Fridge fresh leaves in a bag for 1 week. Dry leaves store for 12+ months in a sealed jar.