Lemon myrtle
Backhousia citriodora
Leaves more lemony than lemons, for tea and baking; pick any time.
Hardiness: zones 9 to 11
Light: part shade to full sun
Size: about 25 ft tall, 12 ft wide
Harvest: year-round
From: Queensland rainforest
Here: Too tender to overwinter outdoors on the Lake Erie shore (zone 6b to 7a): grow it in a pot and bring it in, or treat it as an annual.
Good for: food, pollinators, traditional use.
Native to: Australia. Hardy in zones 9 to 11.
The story
Lemon myrtle grows in the subtropical rainforest of Queensland, where Aboriginal peoples used the leaves for flavour and medicine; it holds more citral than lemongrass and became the signature herb of Australian bush-food cooking in the 1990s.
Planting
Full sun or part shade, drained soil, warmth, and shelter from frost; it grows well in a large pot. Plant a seedling or cutting.
Growing
Water steadily and mulch; it dislikes drying out when young. Prune to keep it bushy and the leaves in reach.
Harvest and use
Pick leaves any time; use fresh or dried for tea, fish, baking and syrup. The flavour is intense; use sparingly.
What to watch for
Frost and myrtle rust in humid areas.
Safety
Medicinal uses here are shared as history, not advice. Kitchen amounts are fine for most people, but teas, tinctures and supplements can interact with medicines and aren't safe for everyone, especially in pregnancy, while breastfeeding, for children, or with liver or kidney problems. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking any plant as medicine.
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More perennial vegetables, greens and herbs
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home