Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus)

General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit:	Grass/Grass-like
Life cycle:	Perennial
Sun Requirements:	Full Sun
Water Preferences:	Mesic
Soil pH Preferences:	Slightly acid (6.1 – 6.5) Neutral (6.6 – 7.3) Slightly alkaline (7.4 – 7.8)
Minimum cold hardiness:	Zone 9b -3.9 °C (25 °F) to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
Plant Height:	36 inches - 48 inches
Plant Spread:	24 inches - 36 inches
Leaves:	Unusual foliage color Evergreen Fragrant Other: Light green to bluish-green
Flowers:	Inconspicuous
Flower Color:	Green
Bloom Size:	Under 1"
Flower Time:	Spring
Underground structures:	Rhizome
Uses:	Groundcover Culinary Herb Will Naturalize Suitable as Annual
Edible Parts:	Stem Leaves
Eating Methods:	Tea Culinary Herb/Spice
Resistances:	Pollution Humidity tolerant
Propagation: Seeds:	Depth to plant seed: Barely cover Start indoors
Propagation: Other methods:	Cuttings: Root
Containers:	Suitable in 3 gallon or larger Needs excellent drainage in pots

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Comments:

Posted by mom2goldens (Carmel, IN - Zone 5b) on Sep 29, 2011 5:13 PM concerning plant:

Lemon grass is easy to grow; it is not picky about soil, but does like fairly consistant watering. It is hardy in zones 9-11, but can be grown as an annual in cooler zones. Beause it grows slowly from seed, it is easy to overwinter in a sunny spot or under lights. Simply harvest a few stalks from your plant, making sure that your harvested stalks have roots. Plant in your favorite potting mix, and keep evenly moist. The grassy top leaves can be cut back to keep them managable indoors. When the warm weather returns, plant outdoors once again and you'll have a headstart on the growing season. It makes an attractive background plant, but likes a little room once it is established.

1 reply
Posted by lovesblooms (Maryland - Zone 7a) on Feb 24, 2015 4:51 PM concerning plant:

Rooted in water this winter from store-bought stalks in about two weeks. Excited!

1 reply

Plant Events from our members
lovesblooms	On February 18, 2017	Seeds germinated
lovesblooms	On February 9, 2017	Seeds sown indoors
LizDTM	On April 8, 2017	Obtained plant
tabbycat	On April 1, 2024	Obtained plant Bought with other plants from also got Cat Grass both for Buddy to nibble on. Planted in same pot.
tabbycat	On September 19, 2020	Miscellaneous Event Gave 1 to Morgan for her cat
tabbycat	On May 19, 2020	Transplanted Transplanted 3 individual to rotate as Buddy eats them
tabbycat	On May 19, 2020	Obtained plant Bought 1 gal. pot with 3 plants $9 at Stines
Lindacarlson06gmail	On June 30, 2020	Obtained plant
paleohunter	On April 11, 2022	Obtained plant
paleohunter	On April 17, 2021	Plant Ended (Removed, Died, Discarded, etc)
paleohunter	On November 21, 2020	Winterized
paleohunter	On November 21, 2020	Harvested
aspenhill	On May 15, 2021	Obtained plant NGA Sheela (crystalsalt) - qty 1
Cobs	On March 21, 2022	Obtained plant Large pot on herb area paving. No water tray as almost died in winter - too wet!

Cymbopogon Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus)