Australian lemon leaf

Plant family

Mint family (Lamiaceae)

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Moist

Soil

Light (sandy)

Nutrient requirement

High

Light germinator

Germination temperature

20 - 25 °C (Degrees Celsius)

Plant distance

80 cm

Row spacing

80 cm

Seeding depth

0.2 cm

Instructions

Description

While many herbs take a break in winter, one very special fragrant herb shows amazing vitality: the Australian lemon leaf. Even in December, it remains green, soft and intensely aromatic. Its fresh lemon scent, fluffy leaves and versatile use as a tea or kitchen ingredient make it a real insider tip for the cold season. The Australian lemon leaf (Plectranthus species / Coleus bellus) is a spice plant that has not been known for very long. This species has not yet been botanically named. It is possibly a subspecies of Plectranthus bellus. This plant was only discovered a few years ago in the Australian tropics around Queensland. There it grows to over two meters in height and width. Australian lemon leaf grows incredibly quickly, becomes quite large if it is not cut back and, depending on the state of cultivation, can have leaves up to the size of a hand, which are covered in soft, fluffy hairs. In late summer to fall, small, mostly blue-violet or white flowers appear in a candle-shaped inflorescence when it has reached a height of 2m. The leaves have an incredibly intense lemon scent. However, the scent is by no means intrusive or disturbing. Interestingly, the leaves actually smell differently. Very young, tiny leaves smell very fruity, like a whole fruit salad, the middle leaves have more of a lemon scent, and the older leaves have a composition of citronella oil with a hint of mint. The fragrance is pleasant and intense at every leaf stage. The essential oils citral, citronellal and geraniol are responsible for the intense aroma. Just a light touch of the leaf is enough to bring the great scent to your skin. The plant not only creates a great indoor climate, the leaves can even be used for tea. They can be used fresh or dried. However, the leaves turn gray when dried and shrivel up a lot. Drying can take a relatively long time as the plant stores a lot of water. Australian lemon leaf is not poisonous. The soft, tender, fluffy and fleshy leaves can be used for culinary purposes. However, as the stem is hard, it should not be used. This makes the plant, which can grow very tall, resistant to wind and gives it stability. Small quantities are sufficient for a tea, as the flavor is very intense. However, it can also be used to flavor water, refine desserts and salads or season savory dishes. Anything that harmonizes with lemon can also be combined with the Australian lemon leaf. Due to its intense aroma, Australian lemon leaf is also ideal for herbal baths. You can either make a strong herbal tea and add this to the bath water or add a few fresh or dried leaves to the bath water. The plant is good for repelling mosquitoes and protects the skin from bites when the leaves are rubbed into the skin.

Growing tips

The Australian lemon leaf is kept in a pot or tub, so you can let it enjoy the unfiltered sun when the outside temperatures are right and then bring it back inside when the temperatures get too low (below 15°C). It is very resistant to pests. Neither aphids nor fungus gnats settle around the plant. This makes the lemon leaf the ideal houseplant, which also survives the winter well at the window indoors. The recommended planting substrate is a mixture of herbal soil and so-called additives, e.g. a mixture of zeolite, pumice, expanded clay and crushed lava. As the plant has succulent properties, it is recommended to keep it rather dry and well drained, as it reacts very sensitively to waterlogging. Propagation is really quite simple. As long as the plant develops small new leaves, it can be pruned all year round. Cut off a young side shoot about 10 cm long, put it in a small flower pot with soil and keep it moist, but not too moist, for three or four weeks. Roots will then have formed and the new plant will have grown. ☀️ Location - Bright to semi-shady - the brighter, the more compact and aromatic. - Also tolerates shadier areas, but grows less luxuriantly there. - Like to be kept outside in summer, but frost-free. 🪴 Soil & pot - Herb soil mixed with zeolite, pumice, expanded clay and lava - The plant grows extremely quickly → repot frequently. - Pot should be heavy enough to prevent the large plant from tipping over. 💧 Watering - Leaves are succulent → can manage with little water. - For vigorous growth: water regularly, but avoid waterlogging. - Water less in winter. 🌱 Fertilize - If you harvest regularly: fertilize regularly. - Result: ◦ Faster growth ◦ More tender, juicier leaves ✂️ Pruning & shape - For bushy growth: cut the shoot tips regularly. - Without pruning, the plant becomes very tall (up to over 2 m) and rather "leggy". - Older plants become bare at the bottom → simply take cuttings. 🌡️ Overwintering - Not frost-hardy. - Keep indoors in a bright spot, dry room air is not a problem. - In winter it grows more slowly or pauses. 🌿 Propagation - Extremely easy: ◦ Cuttings in a glass of water → almost always take root. ◦ Or stick directly into soil. 🍋 Harvesting & storage - Harvest individual leaves or whole shoots. - Do not store in the fridge - remain soft and aromatic for weeks in room air. - For drying: ◦ Cut the leaves into small pieces, otherwise they will remain soft for up to 8 weeks. 🌸 Flower - Only flowers if it is not cut for a long time and grows very tall (over 2 m). - Small, pale purple or white flowers. ✅ Good neighbors 🌱 1st herbs - Lemon balm, Thai basil, coriander, parsley, - rosemary, oregano, curry herb, lavender 🌼 2. fragrant and aromatic plants - Lemon verbena, scented geraniums, pineapple sage, Moroccan sage 🐞 3. plants that benefit from insect repellency According to experience reports, lemon leaf repels aphids in the greenhouse. Good neighbors for it: - Peppers, chili, tomatoes, cucumbers ❌ Bad neighbors 💧 1. plants that need a lot of water - Celery, zucchini, pumpkin, water mint 🌳 2. strong-growing root competitors - Mint (if in a bed, not in a pot), comfrey, woodruff 🌫️ 3. Plants that are sensitive to strong fragrances Some plants do not like intense essential oils in close proximity: - Basil varieties with a mild aroma, Some lettuces (e.g. lettuce), spinach