Lemon-Scented Gum Plant Care

Lemon-Scented Gum (Corymbia torelliana) belongs to the Myrtaceae family within the Corymbia genus. Lemon-Scented Gum is native to north Queensland. Lemon-Scented Gum is also known as Cadaghi, Yellow Gum, Tropical Blue Gum.

Lemon-Scented Gum displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 50 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Lemon-Scented Gum produces showy clusters of white, pink, or red flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Lemon-Scented Gum every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Lemon-Scented Gum thrives in full sun.

Corymbia torelliana tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Lemon-Scented Gum prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Lemon-Scented Gum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Lemon-Scented Gum every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Lemon-Scented Gum is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Lemon-Scented Gum can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 50 ft (15 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Lemon-Scented Gum while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Lemon-Scented Gum is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Lemon-Scented Gum can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to ghost gum plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Lemon-Scented Gum is susceptible to lerp psyllids, borers, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Lemon-Scented Gum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Lemon-Scented Gum is native to north Queensland. In cooler regions, grow Lemon-Scented Gum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.