Used as an essential oil in toiletries, this tender aromatic native of Eastern Australia has strong antibacterial properties and can be made into a strong tea. 9x9cm pot (8cm depth)
Description
- Aromatic
- Unusual herb to grow
- Can be used for tea
- Anti-bacterial properties
The leaves of this large shrub are deeply lemon scented and the extracted oil is a strong insect repellent and bactericide. It is used in commercial cosmetic preparations, toiletries and as a masking agent. It isn’t a hardy plant and need somewhere warm to reside in the winter.
Plant care
- Height: 150cm+
- Type: Tender
- Aspect: Sun
- Soil: Any/alkaline
- Flower colour: White
- Flowering period: Unlikely in UK
In its native country, this lovely lemon scented shrub will withstand some frosts, but it won't survive outside in the UK over winter as our frosts are accompanied by months without enough daylight and endless weeks of wet weather too. In the summer it soaks up all the sunshine you can throw at it, but needs protection from November onwards. Depending where you are in the country a cold greenhouse may be enough if the winter isn't too cold and it may suffer a bit of tip scorching, otherwise it will need a inside a conservatory or sunny patio door. As it can grow quite large it is unlikely to fit on a windowsill after a couple of years.