It is native to the subtropical rainforests of central and south-eastern Queensland, Australia, with a natural distribution from Mackay to Brisbane.

The flowers are creamy-white, 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in) in diameter, produced in clusters at the ends of the branches from summer through to autumn.

Lemon myrtle was given the botanical name Backhousia citriodora by Ferdinand von Mueller in 1853 after his friend, the English botanist, James Backhouse.

[16] Use of lemon myrtle oil as a treatment for skin lesions caused by molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV), a disease typically affecting children and immuno-compromised patients, has been investigated.

Nine of sixteen patients who were treated with 10% strength lemon myrtle oil showed a significant improvement, compared to none in the control group.

[17] A study in 2003 which investigated the effectiveness of different preparations of lemon myrtle against bacteria and fungi concluded that the plant had potential as an antiseptic or as a surface disinfectant, or as an anti-microbial food additive.

[18] The oil is a popular ingredient in health care and cleaning products, especially soaps, lotions, skin-whitening preparations and shampoos.

It can be grown from tropical to warm temperate climates, and may handle cooler districts provided it can be protected from frost when young.

Seedling lemon myrtle go through a shrubby, slow juvenile growth stage, before developing a dominant trunk.

In plantation cultivation the tree is typically maintained as a shrub by regular harvesting from the top and sides.

The majority of commercial lemon myrtle is grown in Queensland and the north coast of New South Wales, Australia.