About
Aloysia citrodora is a deciduous sub-shrub that can grow up to 2.5 meters tall. It features elongated, lanceolate leaves that emit a strong lemon fragrance. The plant produces clusters of small white or pale lilac flowers in open panicles.
About the genus
Aloysia comprises shrubs that may be either deciduous or evergreen, characterized by their aromatic leaves, which can be simple and arranged in pairs or whorls. The plants produce small flowers that are grouped in spike-like clusters.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse, Shrubs, Herbs - Culinary
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants
- Native to
- South America
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Easy to grow in well-drained soil in full sun. May need winter protection in northern Britain. Mulch in autumn to protect the roots. Under glass grow in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light
- Pruning
- Pruning group 6 or pruning group 13 if wall-trained
- Propagation
- Propagate by softwood cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free