Eucalyptus Citriodora Lemon Scented Gum Tree Live Plant 1-2ft Tall in 1 Gallon Pot

Overview

Introduce an extraordinary aromatic presence to your landscape with the lemon scented gum tree, scientifically known as Eucalyptus Citriodora. This magnificent eucalyptus citriodora live plant is a tall, evergreen tree native to northeastern Australia, celebrated worldwide for its distinctive, invigorating lemon-scented foliage. Beyond its captivating fragrance, the tree boasts an attractive, often smooth, pale bark that peels in thin flakes, revealing a mottled, creamy-white to pinkish-grey trunk. It’s a popular choice for gardeners seeking both ornamental beauty and practical value, as it is cultivated globally for its essential oil, timber, and striking aesthetic appeal. This live plant arrives healthy and ready to thrive, offering a unique sensory experience and a stately addition to any garden or large container.

The lemon scented gum tree is a fast-growing species that can reach impressive heights, making it an excellent choice for creating natural shade or as a focal point in a spacious garden. Its vigorous growth and adaptability to various conditions contribute to its popularity. Whether you’re an experienced horticulturist or a budding gardener, this tree provides a rewarding growing experience, transforming your outdoor space with its beauty and refreshing aroma. Its unique characteristics make it a conversation starter and a true garden gem.

Key Benefits

The eucalyptus citriodora live plant offers a multitude of benefits that extend beyond its visual appeal, enriching your environment in several ways:

• Captivating Lemon Fragrance: The most notable feature is its powerful and refreshing lemon scent, which emanates from the leaves, especially when brushed or crushed. This natural aroma can deter insects and create a pleasant atmosphere in your garden, making it an ideal fragrant gum tree.
• Ornamental Value: With its tall, straight trunk, often smooth and shedding bark, and graceful canopy, the tree provides significant aesthetic appeal. It adds elegance and a touch of the exotic to any landscape design.
• Fast Growth Rate: Known for its rapid growth, this eucalyptus can quickly establish itself and provide shade or a substantial visual impact in a relatively short period, making it a great choice if you’re looking for a tall eucalyptus tree.
• Drought Tolerance: Once established, the lemon scented gum tree is remarkably drought-tolerant, making it a suitable option for xeriscaping or gardens in drier climates, reducing the need for extensive watering.
• Essential Oil Source: The leaves are a primary source of citronellal, an essential oil widely used in perfumes, insect repellents, and aromatherapy, highlighting the versatility of this lemon eucalyptus plant.
• Attracts Pollinators: While primarily grown for its foliage, the flowers can attract bees and other beneficial pollinators to your garden, contributing to a healthy ecosystem.
• Low Maintenance: Generally, this tree requires minimal care once established, making it a relatively easy addition for those seeking a beautiful yet undemanding tree.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your eucalyptus citriodora live plant ensures it thrives and displays its full splendor. This robust tree generally prefers a warm to temperate climate. It is best suited for outdoor planting in USDA zones 9-11, where it can be grown year-round. In cooler climates, it can be grown in large containers and moved indoors during winter, or treated as an annual. It requires a location with full sun exposure, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day, to achieve its best growth and fragrance production. While young plants appreciate some protection from intense afternoon sun in very hot climates, mature trees are quite resilient.

When it comes to watering, consistent moisture is important for young lemon scented gum tree plants as they establish. Water deeply and regularly, allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings. Once mature, the tree becomes highly drought-tolerant and will require less frequent watering, especially if planted in the ground. The ideal soil type is well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil. Avoid heavy clay soils that retain too much moisture, as this can lead to root rot. Amending heavy soils with organic matter and sand can improve drainage. Fertilization is generally not heavily required; a balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in spring can support healthy growth, but avoid high-phosphorus fertilizers. Pruning can be done to shape the tree, remove dead or damaged branches, or control its size, particularly if you are growing a tall eucalyptus tree in a more confined space. Keep an eye out for common pests like psyllids, though eucalyptus plants are generally quite resistant.

Size & Details

This eucalyptus citriodora live plant is provided as a healthy specimen, typically standing 1-2 feet tall from the base of the pot to the top of the foliage. It is shipped securely in a 1-gallon nursery pot, ensuring its root system is well-established and ready for transplanting into your garden or a larger container. The plant is in its juvenile stage, allowing you to guide its growth and enjoy its development from a young age. With proper care, this lemon scented gum tree can grow rapidly, adding significant height and spread to your landscape. Expect a moderate to fast growth rate, potentially adding several feet of height per year under optimal conditions. The mature height can range from 60 to 100 feet or more, with a spread of 20 to 40 feet, creating a substantial and impactful presence.

The pot size of 1 gallon provides ample space for the roots to develop before its final planting. Upon arrival, we recommend acclimatizing the plant to its new environment gradually before transplanting. This lemon eucalyptus plant is a long-lived species, offering decades of enjoyment and aromatic beauty in your garden. The attractive, often smooth and pale bark will develop as the tree matures, adding another layer of visual interest to this already stunning specimen. It’s an excellent investment for long-term garden enhancement.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: The lemon scented gum tree is a fast-growing species that can reach impressive heights of 60 to 100 feet or more at maturity, with a spread of 20 to 40 feet. The plant you receive will be 1-2 feet tall.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: This eucalyptus citriodora live plant is primarily an outdoor tree, suitable for USDA Zones 9-11. In cooler climates, it can be grown in a large container and moved indoors during winter, or treated as an annual.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: The lemon scented gum tree thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to ensure vigorous growth and optimal fragrance production.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your lemon scented gum tree will arrive as a healthy, live plant, 1-2 feet tall, securely shipped in a 1-gallon nursery pot with its root system intact and ready for planting.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Once established, the lemon eucalyptus plant is relatively low-maintenance and drought-tolerant. Young plants require consistent watering and protection from extreme conditions, but overall it’s a robust tree.
• Q: When is the best time to plant? A: The best time to plant your lemon scented gum tree is in spring or early summer, after the last threat of frost has passed, allowing it ample time to establish before winter.
• Q: What’s the minimum temperature this tree can tolerate? A: Mature tall eucalyptus tree specimens can tolerate temperatures down to about 20-25°F (-6 to -4°C) for short periods, but prolonged freezes can cause damage, especially to younger plants.
• Q: Can I use the leaves for essential oil? A: Yes, the leaves of the eucalyptus citriodora live plant are a well-known source of citronellal, which is used to produce essential oils. However, extracting essential oils requires specialized equipment and knowledge.
• Q: What kind of soil does it prefer? A: This tree prefers well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil. Avoid waterlogged conditions; amending heavy clay soils with organic matter is recommended.
• Q: Is it good for beginners? A: Yes, with proper initial care and a suitable climate, the lemon scented gum tree can be a rewarding choice for beginner gardeners due to its resilience and relatively low maintenance needs once established.