Lemon beebrush (Aloysia citrodora)

Aloysia citrodora (Lemon verbena, Lemon beebrush) is a shrub appreciated mainly for the properties of its leaves that exudes a sweet lemon scent. It is simply delicious when we stroll through the garden on a windy day and we smell its fresh scent everywhere.

Plant profile

The genus contains about 40 species of evergreen shrubs originating in America. They are cultivated mainly by the aroma of its leaves, from which oils are extracted for various purposes.

It was introduced in Europe by the Portuguese and the Spanish in the 17th century and cultivated for its oil.

How to plant

Lemon beebrush likes well-drained, light-textured soils. It prefers a position where it can benefit from direct sunlight.

It does not like winter frost where the leaves and stems tend to be damaged. This shrub can be cutted by the base and it will regrow every spring.

Lemon beebrush can be cultivated in pots in colder climates so you can move and protect it in sheltered place during the winter months.

Early pruning during springtime stimulates the growth of the flowers. They are small and white and produced in groups on the terminal buds of the branches during the summer.

Aloysia citrodora (Lemon verbena, Lemon beebrush) flowers

Pruning

Since it is a shrub with disorderly growth, it must be constantly pruned to maintain a more compact shape.

Propagation

We can propagate Lemon beebrush by semi-ripe cuttings (like we do with lavender) in the summer or softwood cuttings in spring.