Lemon Bottlebrush
Melaleuca citrina
Also listed as Callistemon lanceolatus, Callistemon cunninghamii
Also known as Bottlebrush Tree
Climate Match for your location
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A drought-tolerant Australian shrub featuring distinctive bottlebrush-like flower spikes in shades of red, orange, or yellow with a citrusy fragrance. It thrives in warm, dry climates and requires minimal maintenance once established.
Why grow it
Melaleuca citrina offers reliable, long-season flowering compared to many other drought-adapted ornamentals, with the added benefit of attracting pollinators over an extended period. Its modest size and low nutrient demands make it suitable for poor or sandy soils where many shrubs struggle, and it requires no supplemental irrigation once established in appropriate climates. Relative to other bottlebrush species, this cultivar's citrus-scented flowers and compact form make it practical for smaller permaculture designs.
Watch out for
In cooler regions, container cultivation allows for seasonal relocation, though the plant's cold hardiness limits its range to USDA zones 9 and warmer. Established plants tolerate pruning, but severe cutting back may reduce flowering in the following season, so light shaping is preferable to heavy renovation. Oversupply of nitrogen fertilizer can encourage foliage at the expense of blooms, so a light hand with amendments suits this species better than rich soil preparation.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Myrtaceae
Native Range
Western Australia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
pH Range
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A drought-tolerant Australian shrub featuring distinctive bottlebrush-like flower spikes in shades of red, orange, or yellow with a citrusy fragrance. It thrives in warm, dry climates and requires minimal maintenance once established.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Lemon Bottlebrush grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Melaleuca citrina offers reliable, long-season flowering compared to many other drought-adapted ornamentals, with the added benefit of attracting pollinators over an extended period. Its modest size and low nutrient demands make it suitable for poor or sandy soils where many shrubs struggle, and it requires no supplemental irrigation once established in appropriate climates. Relative to other bottlebrush species, this cultivar's citrus-scented flowers and compact form make it practical for smaller permaculture designs.
Watch out for
In cooler regions, container cultivation allows for seasonal relocation, though the plant's cold hardiness limits its range to USDA zones 9 and warmer. Established plants tolerate pruning, but severe cutting back may reduce flowering in the following season, so light shaping is preferable to heavy renovation. Oversupply of nitrogen fertilizer can encourage foliage at the expense of blooms, so a light hand with amendments suits this species better than rich soil preparation.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Myrtaceae
Native Range
Western Australia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
pH Range
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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