How to grow Lemongrass

Cymbopogon citratus · lemon grass, West Indian lemongrass, Cymbopogon citratus

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) — a tropical clump-forming grass with lemon-scented leaves; the swollen stem bases flavour Asian dishes and the leaves make tea. It cannot stand frost (it stays outdoors all year only in USDA zones 10–11), so in cooler climates it is grown as an annual or kept in a pot and brought indoors for winter.

Checked against sources: October 3, 2026

Quick facts

Type	Herb
Family	Poaceae
Light	Full sun
Soil pH	5–7.3
Frost	does not tolerate frost
Soil for sowing	from 13 °C
Germination	7 days
First harvest after planting	120 days
Where it grows	Greenhouse, Open ground, At home

When to plant

Planted as a young plant from a nursery while it is dormant — in early spring before the buds open, or in autumn after leaf fall.

Frost dates · When to plant

Care

Greenhouse

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 3 days	18…34 °C	balanced (NPK), at the start of the stage; balanced (NPK), 21 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 42 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 63 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 84 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 105 days into the stage
Harvest	every 3 days	18…34 °C	balanced (NPK), at the start of the stage; balanced (NPK), 21 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 42 days into the stage

Open ground

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 7 days	18…34 °C	balanced (NPK), at the start of the stage; balanced (NPK), 30 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 60 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 90 days into the stage
Harvest	every 7 days	18…34 °C	balanced (NPK), at the start of the stage; balanced (NPK), 30 days into the stage

At home

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 3 days	18…34 °C	balanced (NPK), at the start of the stage; balanced (NPK), 21 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 42 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 63 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 84 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 105 days into the stage
Harvest	every 3 days	18…34 °C	balanced (NPK), at the start of the stage; balanced (NPK), 21 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 42 days into the stage

Growing notes

Light

Full sun in a warm, sheltered spot; it tolerates light shade but grows less.

Soil

Fertile, moist but well-drained soil rich in organic matter; avoid waterlogged ground. pH 5.0–7.3, best around 5–5.8.

Care

The easiest start is a young plant or a piece of an old clump divided in spring; seed can be sown indoors in early to mid-spring at 20–25 °C and comes up in 2–3 weeks. Plant out after the last frost, once it is warm — it needs at least 13 °C to grow well — 30–90 cm apart. Keep the compost in pots evenly moist; in the ground water until rooted, then in dry spells. Feed pots with a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2–3 weeks from spring to late summer, plants in the ground once a month. Harvest the outer stalks once they are at least 1.2 cm thick, cutting or twisting them off at soil level; the lower 10 cm has the best flavour. Before nights drop below 7 °C, cut the leaves back to 5–10 cm and bring the pot into a bright room above 7 °C; water sparingly over winter. Wear gloves — the leaf edges are sharp. Toxic to cats, dogs and horses.

Pests and diseases of Lemongrass

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.