Boronia citrata is an erect, woody shrub that grows to a height of 0.8 m (3 ft) or higher with tiny, stiff hairs on its leaves and branches.

[2][3][4] Boronia citrata was first formally described in 1993 by Neville Grant Walsh and the description was published in Muelleria from a specimen collected near Licola.

[4][5] The specific epithet (citrata) is derived from the Latin word citratus meaning "lemon-like", referring to the lemon scent of this species.

Populations from the upper catchment of the Macalister River, north and east of Licola grow in subalpine heath on shallow soils.

Populations in the Yarra River catchment east of Warburton are found in peppermint woodland.