Eastern Australian native tea tree with fine narrow leaves that release a strong lemon fragrance when brushed, and small white flowers in spring and summer. The standard commercial lemon-tea-tree-oil species.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 9–11 | −6.7 °C to 10 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H3 | −5 °C to 1 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 9 | −1 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 3–7 | −5 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
Growing notes
- Native to coastal eastern Australia — Queensland and NSW
- Distinct from manuka Leptospermum scoparium already in the database — petersonii has the strongest lemon-citronella fragrance of any tea tree
- Source of commercial lemon tea tree essential oil — used in aromatherapy, household products, and insect repellents
- Clip well for hedges, drought tolerant once established
- Not reliably hardy outdoors in Canada — Canadian zone values shown represent the system maximum and do not imply garden cultivation north of the warmest coastal pockets.
Pet caution: Lemon-scented tea tree is listed as potentially harmful to cats and/or dogs. Keep pets from grazing on it, and contact a vet if you suspect your animal has eaten some.
Categories
Related plants
Cross-check Lemon-scented tea tree against your zones