Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the patio, or anywhere else, lemongrass is a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing lemongrass.
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Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Does Lemongrass Belong To?
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) belongs to the Poaceae family, also known as the grass family.
Some of its relatives include oats, barley, and wheat.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Lemongrass?
The minimum container size recommended for lemongrass is 5 gallons.
Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Lemongrass?
Some of lemongrass's best companions are as follows:
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Tulsi
- Thyme
- Mints such as spearmint and peppermint
- Echinacea
- Marigold
- Ginger
- Turmeric
- Cucumber
- Fennel
- Lemon
- Orange
- Grapefruit
- Mango
- Tomato
- Peppers such as habanero and poblano
- Tomatillo
- Geranium
- Hibiscus
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Lemongrass?
Lemongrass is not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with lemongrass are as follows:
- Marshmallow
- Watercress
What Soil Conditions Does Lemongrass Need?
Lemongrass prefers rich, loamy soil that is moist but not waterlogged.
How Long Does Lemongrass Take to Germinate?
Lemongrass takes 5-21 days to germinate at a temperature of 65-85°F.
How Much Sun Does Lemongrass Need?
Lemongrass needs full sun.
Sun recommendations can vary by region.
How Much Water Does Lemongrass Need?
Lemongrass should be watered deeply when the top inch of soil is dry or nearly dry.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Lemongrass?
Lemongrass grows fastest in temperatures of 50-90°F.
This is its ideal temperature range. Although it will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety. Some lemongrass varieties are bred for late fall harvests and others for warmer climates.
How Tall Does Lemongrass Get?
The average height of lemongrass is 3-5 feet.
Is Lemongrass Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Lemongrass is a perennial herb, meaning that it lives for longer than a couple years.
How Does Lemongrass Reproduce?
Lemongrass reproduces by seed or root division.
How Much Lemongrass is Produced Per Plant?
For lemongrass, how much is produced per plant (also called the yield) largely depends on the type and variety.
Most lemongrass plants produce 50-100 stalks per plant per year.
The exact number of stalks produced will depend on age, growing conditions, and other factors. The stalks are as long as the plant is tall, making them 3-5 feet long on average.
Can Lemongrass Be Ingested?
Lemongrass stalks are edible. They are typically too tough to eat raw, but they can be added to cooked dishes. See our Simple Uses for Lemongrass article for more information.
Lemongrass stalks have anti-inflammatory and carminative properties and can be used in herbal preparations. The most common preparations are tea and tinctures. An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:5 at 45% alcohol is suggested for a lemongrass tincture.
There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting lemongrass leaves.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of lemongrass rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for lemongrass here!
Lemongrass is featured in these Plant to Plate articles: