How to Grow Lemon Myrtle
Backhousia citriodora
Lemon myrtle is an intensely aromatic subtropical tree from Australia, with leaves far more lemony than lemongrass. It thrives in full sun, moist well-drained soil, and warmth. In the UK and cool climates, grow in a large pot and bring indoors over winter — it cannot tolerate frost. Tip-prune regularly to keep it bushy and harvest the fragrant leaves for cooking and tea year-round. Feed in spring and summer. Flowers are masses of creamy-white fluffy blooms in midsummer.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Spring and summer with a balanced fertiliser. Container plants benefit from liquid feed monthly through the growing season.
Watch For
- Scale insects
- Myrtle rust
- Psyllids
- Frost damage
Companions
Lemongrass, Ginger, Turmeric
Track your Lemon Myrtle care schedule — pruning, feeding, and seasonal tasks
Start planning freeCare Requirements
☀️ Light
Full sun; warm, sheltered position
Full sun is best, though light afternoon shade is tolerated in very hot climates. A warm, sheltered south-facing position is ideal in the UK. Avoid cold, exposed or draughty spots.
🌿 Spacing
2m for garden specimens; suits large containers
Allow 2m spacing for garden-planted specimens. Container-grown plants can be sited as needed and kept compact with regular tip-pruning.
💧 Watering
Regular in summer; reduce in winter
Water regularly through spring and summer, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering significantly in winter. Container plants dry out faster and need more attention.
🌱 Fertilizing
Spring and summer feed; monthly liquid for containers
Feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring as growth resumes, and again in midsummer. Container plants benefit from monthly liquid feeds during the growing season. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds which reduce leaf fragrance.
✂️ Pruning
Tip-prune regularly; shape after flowering
Tip-prune from spring through summer to keep the plant compact and bushy. More substantial shaping can be done after flowering in late summer. Avoid cutting back into old wood.
🍎 Harvesting
Leaves year-round; peak aroma before flowering
Pick young leaves at any time. The most fragrant harvest comes just before the plant flowers. Dry in a warm, airy place away from direct sun to retain the intense citral aroma.
❄️ Overwintering
Frost-free shelter required below 5°C
Lemon myrtle cannot tolerate frost. Bring containers indoors or into a heated greenhouse before cold snaps. For in-ground plants in frost-prone areas, heavy mulching and fleece protection may help in very mild frosts only.
Growing Tips
Use well-drained, humus-rich soil
Plant in a loam-based mix enriched with compost. Good drainage is essential — lemon myrtle dislikes waterlogged roots. Raise containers on feet.
Tip-prune for bushy growth
Pinch out growing tips regularly from spring through summer. This keeps the plant compact and increases the number of harvestable leaf shoots.
Harvest before flowering for peak aroma
Leaves are most fragrant just before the plant flowers. Harvest a flush of young leaves at this time for drying or fresh use.
Protect from frost and cold winds
In cool climates, bring containers under cover before the first frost. Even a light frost can damage foliage. Cold drying winds are equally harmful.
Repot as needed
Container plants may need repotting every 2-3 years. Refresh the potting mix and move up one size when roots fill the pot.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Scale Insects
Identification: Small brown or white oval bumps on stems and leaf undersides; sticky honeydew and sooty mould on foliage
- Scrub off scales with a soft brush dipped in soapy water
- Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, ensuring thorough coverage
- Apply a plant oil winter wash to smother overwintering scales
- Spray with a systemic insecticide containing acetamiprid
Pest Psyllids
Identification: Tiny jumping insects on new growth; distorted or cupped leaves; sticky residue on foliage
- Remove and destroy heavily infested shoots
- Blast off with a jet of water
- Encourage natural predators
- Spray with a contact insecticide containing pyrethrins when nymphs are active
Disease Myrtle Rust
Symptoms: Bright yellow or orange powdery pustules on young leaves, shoots, and buds; distortion and death of new growth
Treatment: Remove and bag all infected material immediately. Do not compost. Improve air circulation. Treat with a registered fungicide containing mancozeb or trifloxystrobin.
Prevention: Avoid overhead watering. Ensure good airflow. Avoid wounding plants. Inspect new plants before introducing them to the garden.
Disease Frost Damage
Symptoms: Leaves turn brown, black, or dry and papery after cold spells; stem dieback in severe cases
Treatment: Wait until spring to assess damage then prune back to healthy green growth. Do not prune frost-damaged growth in winter.
Prevention: Move container plants to a frost-free position before cold snaps. Mulch the root zone heavily for in-ground plants in mild frost areas.
Log Lemon Myrtle in your garden — track growth, care, and harvests year after year
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