How big does this tree get?

It is a large tree that can reach heights of 30 meters in the wild.

Does it need a lot of water?

Once established, it is quite drought tolerant.

Plant guide

Lemon scented gum.

Corymbia citriodora

Pronounced koh-RIM-bee-uh sit-ree-oh-DOR-uh

Also known as Lemonscented Gum, citron-scent gum, lemon-scent gum, lemon-scented-gum, lemon-scented-gum-tree, lemon-scented-spotted-gum, spotted gum, spotted-gum

The lemon scented gum is a tall, elegant tree known for its smooth, powdery bark and fragrant foliage. It releases a strong, refreshing lemon scent when you crush its leaves. It makes a stunning addition to large gardens or landscapes where it has plenty of room to grow.

Another photo of Lemon scented gum — Photo by Linda Pardy (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Evergreen tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 30 to 50 meters
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Winter to spring

Care

Give this tree plenty of full sun to keep it happy and healthy. Watch for yellowing leaves, which might mean it needs better drainage or is getting too much water. Keep an eye out for pests like scale or psyllids during the warmer months.

Watering: Water deeply once established, but allow the top few inches of soil to dry out between waterings.
Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring to support healthy growth.
Pruning: Prune only to remove dead or damaged branches during the dormant season.
Repotting: Repot young trees every few years if they become root bound, though they prefer to stay in the ground.
Soil: Well draining, slightly acidic soil
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
Temperature: -2 to 40°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Long lived, often over 50 years.
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot
Stunted growth

Safety

People: The essential oil can be irritating if ingested in concentrated forms.
Pets: The leaves and their essential oil are toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing or eating the leaves can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea and weakness.
Children: The seed capsules are hard and woody, which could pose a choking hazard if found on the ground.
Contact allergens: The essential oils in the leaves may cause skin irritation for sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can trigger allergic reactions in some people during the flowering season.
Edibility: The leaves are used for flavoring but should not be consumed in large quantities due to high essential oil content.

How to identify it

Smooth, powdery white or pinkish bark
Narrow, lance shaped green leaves
Strong lemon fragrance when crushed
Small white flowers in clusters

Height: 15 to 30m
Spread: 5 to 15m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: white, cream, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: brown, Summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

Leaf SpotCommon
Scale InsectsCommon
Myrtle RustUncommon
Sooty MoldUncommon
CankerRare
Root RotRare

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: In cooler areas, provide protection from frost as young trees are particularly sensitive to cold damage.
In containers: It is generally too large for long term container growth unless kept as a bonsai or restricted specimen.

Seed

1. Collect mature seed capsules.
2. Dry capsules until they release seeds.
3. Sow seeds in a well draining potting mix.
4. Keep moist until germination.

Plant these trees in areas with plenty of space to accommodate their large, fast growing root systems.

Grows well with

Grevillea · They share similar environmental needs and attract diverse pollinators.
Bottlebrush · These plants thrive in the same sunny, well drained conditions.

Similar species

Spotted Gum · It has a similar growth habit but lacks the strong lemon scent.

Science

Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Corymbia
Order: Myrtales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Northeastern Australia.
Conservation: It is widely planted and not considered threatened in its native range.

This tree thrives in well drained soils and is adapted to survive periodic dry spells in its native woodland habitat.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, nesting site
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, birds
Uses: ornamental tree, essential oil production, windbreak, timber

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 4/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How big does this tree get?: It is a large tree that can reach heights of 30 meters in the wild.
Does it need a lot of water?: Once established, it is quite drought tolerant.

Where the name comes from

The name Corymbia refers to the corymbose arrangement of the flowers, while citriodora highlights the distinct lemon scent of the leaves.

Good to know

It is one of the most popular ornamental trees in warm climates worldwide.
The oil is a natural insect repellent.
The bark is smooth and often sheds in thin curls.
It grows very quickly in ideal conditions.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.