Lemongrass
Cymbopogon citratus · Poaceae
📷 Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0
⚠️ Les huiles essentielles et glycosides cyanogènes peuvent provoquer des troubles digestifs chez chiens et chats, surtout après une ingestion importante.
The gardener's calendar
Lemongrass is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Family
- Poaceae (grasses)
- Foliage
- Evergreen, light green, aromatic
- Flowering
- July to September, discreet spikes
- Adult height
- 80 to 120 cm
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Sensitive to cold (warm climate preferred)
- Origin
- South Asia and Southeast Asia
- Use
- Culinary (aromatic leaves)
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Lemongrass needs regular watering and division every two years to stay vigorous. Without dividing, the center gets suffocated and greyish foliage indicates root asphyxia.
The common mistake
Growing it in a pot without drainage or repotting.
The pro's trick
Grow it in a pot if nights drop near 0°C, so you can overwinter it easily.
Care
Watering
Water regularly, especially during the growing season and in warm climates. Keep the soil moist without creating waterlogging. In the cold season, reduce watering. This plant tolerates frequent watering well in summer.
Light exposure
Place lemongrass in full sun to achieve dense, aromatic foliage. It requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. A south or west-facing exposure guarantees vigorous growth.
Soil
Use well-draining soil, slightly rich in organic matter. This grass adapts to various soils but prefers loose, aerated earth. In pots, a light mix with potting soil and sand promotes growth.
Pruning and harvesting
Harvest leaves as needed for culinary use by cutting external stems. Remove dead or damaged leaves to promote density. Light pruning in spring stimulates branching.
Fertilizer
Apply balanced fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks during the growing season (spring-summer). Moderate feeding is sufficient; excess reduces the aromatic intensity of the leaves.
Diseases and pests
Lemongrass is generally robust. Indoors or in pots, watch for spider mites and mealybugs. Excessive watering or poor drainage promote root rot. Maintain good air circulation around the plant.
Did you know?
Lemongrass has been traditionally used in Asian cuisine for millennia, particularly in Thailand and Cambodia where it flavors soups and curries. Its lemony scent comes from an essential oil containing citral, the same compound found in lemon zest, which inspired its evocative name.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Tufted hair grassDeschampsia cespitosa
- Wavy hair-grassAvenella flexuosa
- Purple moor-grassMolinia caerulea
- Reed canary-grassPhalaris arundinacea
- Common quaking grassBriza media
- Creeping soft-grassHolcus mollis
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.