Eucalyptus Citriodora, Lemon Eucalyptus - 0.5 kg Seeds

Lemon-scented gum (Eucalyptus citriodora, now Corymbia citriodora) is a tall, very fast-growing evergreen tree with a slender, straight trunk, smooth powdery white-to-pinkish bark and narrow leaves that give off a strong lemony fragrance when crushed.

The leaves are distilled for citronella-type essential oil used in perfumery, soaps and natural insect repellents, while the strong timber serves for construction, poles and pulpwood. Its clean white trunk and graceful form also make it a popular ornamental and avenue tree. Drought-hardy once established, it is planted across the plains, plateau and southern regions of India for both its aromatic oil and its wood.

• Family: Myrtaceae
• Native region: Queensland, Australia
• Mature height: 25–40 m
• Growth rate: Very fast

The seeds are extremely small and need no pre-treatment. Mix the fine seed with sand and surface-sow it thinly on a firm, moist seed tray, pressing it in lightly rather than covering it. Keep the medium evenly moist and lightly shaded; germination takes about 7–14 days. Prick out the delicate seedlings into polybags and grow them on before transplanting to a sunny, well-drained site.