Growing Lemon Grass at Home: Easy Steps for Healthy Plants

Growing Lemon Grass at Home: Easy Steps for Healthy Plants

I grow lemongrass like a small hedge that happens to perfume the yard and season the wok. It rewards even a lazy schedule, as long as it gets heat, sun, drainage and steady moisture.

Cymbopogon citratus is a clump-forming perennial and a fast tillerer. Treat it like a warm-season grass with culinary benefits.

Quick start for Growing Lemon Grass

• Sun: 6 to 8 hours minimum, full sun preferred.
• Soil: well drained, sandy loam or a potting mix with bark, perlite and compost, pH 6.0 to 7.5.
• Water: keep evenly moist, never waterlogged.
• Fertilizer: light monthly feeding during active growth, go easy on nitrogen.
• Temperature: thrives at 77 to 95 F, 25 to 35 C, protect below 40 F, 4 C.
• Spacing: 24 to 36 in, 60 to 90 cm, or one plant per 12 to 16 in, 30 to 40 cm, container.

Site and soil that keep stalks fat

Plant on a mound or raised bed to avoid soggy crowns. I blend two parts high‑quality potting mix, one part fine pine bark, and one part coarse perlite for containers.

Good drainage prevents crown rot and rusty leaves. A thin layer of compost feeds microbes and keeps soil springy.

Propagating from market stalks or divisions

1. Choose fresh stalks with intact basal nodes, the slightly swollen white bottoms.
2. Trim tops to 8 in, 20 cm, then stand bases in 2 in, 5 cm, of water in bright light.
3. Change water every 2 days until roots reach 1 in, 2.5 cm, usually 7 to 14 days.
4. Pot into a moist, airy mix and keep warm, above 68 F, 20 C, for fast root growth.
5. For divisions, slice a chunk with at least 3 shoots and a fistful of roots, then plant at original depth.

I root a dozen at once, then keep the strongest four. The rest become soup.

Watering and feeding without creating a soggy mess

Think consistent moisture, not swamp. I water when the top inch, 2.5 cm, is dry and aim for a slight droop recovery rather than lush but floppy growth.

A slow release 5-5-5 works, or alternate fish hydrolysate with kelp every 3 weeks in summer. Too much nitrogen gives big leaves with skinny, bland stalks.

Light and heat that make flavor pop

Lemon grass builds oils in strong sun and real warmth. Shade makes it grassy and weak.

“Lemongrass is a tender perennial grown outdoors year-round only in frost-free areas” — University of Florida IFAS Extension

In USDA zones 10 to 11, it overwinters outdoors. In cooler zones, grow it in pots and roll it inside before frost.

Harvest like a chef, prune like a grass grower

Harvest when stalk bases are thumb-thick and firm. Tug an outer stalk outward, then slice flush at the base to keep the clump tidy.

I trim leaf blades to knee height every few weeks to push new tillers. Mulch with shredded leaves to feed the clump slowly.

Overwintering without a greenhouse

Before nights hit 45 F, 7 C, I lift a clump, reduce foliage by half, and pot it snug. Place near the brightest window you own, then water lightly every 10 to 14 days.

Cool and bright beats warm and dim. In March, top dress with compost and resume regular feeding.

Common problems and my fast fixes

• Rusty leaf spots: improve airflow, avoid overhead irrigation, prune dense centers, and remove infected blades.
• Aphids or mites: hard water spray, then insecticidal soap on both leaf surfaces, repeat after 4 days.
• Pale leaves: feed lightly with a balanced fertilizer and check pH, aim for near neutral.
• Soggy crown: repot into a faster mix and lift the crown slightly above soil level.

Flavor, chemistry and that clean citrus snap

“Cymbopogon citratus essential oil typically contains 65 to 85 percent citral” — FAO, Essential Oil Bearing Grasses

Higher light and warm nights raise citral content, which is the lemon aroma you taste. My sunniest plants always slice with a louder nose.

Growing Lemon Grass in containers for tight spaces

Choose a 14 in, 35 cm, pot with large drainage holes. Use an airy mix and feed lightly but consistently from May to September.

Slip pot plants out midseason and shave off the outer inch of roots all around if they circle. Fresh mix, same pot, stronger growth.

Safety and pets

Keep dried leaves and essential oil away from pets. According to veterinary references, ingestion can cause gastrointestinal upset in cats and dogs.

Smart buying guide for starts and supplies

• Starts: look for stout bases with tight sheaths and visible nodes, avoid dry or shriveled bottoms.
• Soil: avoid peat-heavy mixes that stay wet, add bark and perlite for structure and airflow.
• Fertilizer: choose slow release or organic liquids with micronutrients, avoid high nitrogen lawn products.
• Tools: a narrow, sharp knife for base cuts and alcohol wipes to clean it between plants.

Varieties, look-alikes and what to actually plant

• West Indian lemon grass, Cymbopogon citratus: classic culinary type, tender, my first choice.
• East Indian lemon grass, C. flexuosus: slightly finer leaves, used for oil, good in tea and soups.
• Citronella grasses, C. nardus and C. winterianus: strong mosquito-repellent oils, coarse texture, not the same flavor.
• Dwarf selections: handy for 10 in, 25 cm, pots, less yield but easier windowsill fit.

Companion uses and ecological notes

Interplant around peppers and eggplant as a living windbreak. The leaves shelter predatory lacewings and hoverflies that hunt aphids nearby.

About insects and aroma: whole plants offer modest deterrence. Concentrated oils in tested formulations do the heavy lifting.

Scheduling for reliable yields

From a rooted start in spring at 70 F, 21 C, I expect first stalk harvest in 8 to 10 weeks. A mature clump gives 6 to 12 harvestable stalks per month through warm weather.

Cut hard in late summer, then let it rebuild before any cool snap. Strong roots handle wintering far better.

Numbers and references I trust

“Full sun and well-drained soil are essential for healthy growth” — Royal Horticultural Society

“Grow as a perennial in USDA zones 10–11, or as an annual elsewhere” — Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder

These match field results in my hot beds and my cool garage. The plant loves heat, light and air at the roots.

Cooking prep and storage straight from the bed

Peel tough outer sheaths, bruise the base, then slice the tender heart for soups, curries and marinades. Freeze trimmed bases in zip bags for 6 months, or dry leaves for tea on a screen in a warm room.

I keep a jar of chopped hearts under oil in the fridge for one week. It disappears faster than that.

Frequently asked tangents while Growing Lemon Grass

• Can I grow on a balcony: yes with a 14 in, 35 cm, pot and a south-facing wall.
• Will it seed everywhere: culinary types rarely set viable seed in temperate zones, the clump expands instead.
• How often to divide: every 12 to 18 months to keep stalks thick.
• Best mulch: a 1 in, 2.5 cm, ring of shredded leaves or pine needles, keep it off the crown.

Growing Lemon Grass rewards patience and a little grit. Start with rich soil, keep the roots damp but never soggy, and don’t let the stalks get crowded—lemongrass hates a traffic jam. Plenty of sun keeps those blades sharp and fragrant, while regular trimming gives you fresh supply for the kitchen and encourages bushier growth. Watch for pests, but don’t lose sleep—this hardy plant usually shrugs off trouble.

If you’ve mastered growing lemon grass, consider adding more variety to your herb patch—try your hand at growing thyme or a punchy row of dill. Nothing beats the satisfaction of snipping your own herbs, straight from the source. Good soil, sun, and patience: that’s the real recipe.