Plant types

Plant styles

Planting conditions

Seasonal interest

Nurseries & Gardens

Photo by Gardenology.org

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

Show all photos

Cymbopogon citratus

Also Known As

Lemon Grass

Plant type

perennial, grass / grass like

size

H: 3'-5'
W: 12"

planting zones

9b-11

More Options

Cymbopogon citratus plant details

Cymbopogon citratus is a semi-evergreen perennial grass (or grassy in appearance) with green foliage. Features grassy texture. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture water. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Cymbopogon citratus

Plant type: perennial grass (or grassy in appearance)
Plant family: poaceae
Foliage: semi-evergreen green
Mature size: 12 IN wide, 3 FT - 5 FT - tall
Uses: container plant, culinary, fragrant, houseplant, unique

GROWING CONDITIONS for Cymbopogon citratus

USDA Zones: 9b - 11
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

The more you cook, the more you realize the value of fresh ingredients. And nothing's fresher than vegetables and herbs you grow yourself in pots or in a sunny bed in the yard (or community garden plot). Lemongrass is a staple in Asian and African recipes. Once you cook with it, you'll wonder how you managed without it.

By: Leafari

A clumping subtropical grass with a fruity lemon smell and taste. A staple for oriental cooking, and teas. Lemon grass is a perfect candidate for container growing in colder climates simply cut it back and bring in for the winter. Flowering is infrequent but blooms from August through September.

By: Florida Hill Nursery

Native to southern India, 'West Indian Lemon Grass" is a widely used aromatic herb. The plant grows in dense clumps with the leaves reaching 3' tall. The entire stalk (bulb and grass) has a light lemon flavor and is used in soups, curries or teas. 'West Indian Lemon Grass" is much preferred over the seed-grown East Indian variety since it's larger and more flavorful. Lemon grass contains citrol and is made into teas to aid digestion. This tropical perennial performs well as a container-grown herb.

By: Logee's Plants for Home & Garden

A clumping grass 2-3' tall with highly aromatic foliage that has been used for centuries in East Asian cooking. The lemon scent is released when leaves are crushed or bruised and so plants make good container subjects near the kitchen door or along paths and walkways. Not particular to soil type, lemon grass does however require full sun and regular water. Plants will not overwinter in any but the mildest of climates. Hardy to 30F. Asia.

By: Native Sons

Lemon Grass is an easily grown herb. It is used in many oriental dishes. Grows to 2 to 3 feet in height. Nice addition to any herb garden. Shipped in a 4" pot.(Cymbopogon citratus). Great for asian cooking.

By: Accents for Home and Garden

This scented grass is a clump former, quite pleasing, grown for its deliciously scented lemon leaves. Lemon grass is used in Thai cooking and commonly with fish, the tender stalk at the base of the plant, that is blanched by lack of sunlight is snapped away, stripped of any brown or green leaves and the tender central portion of the leaf stalk (composed of a multitude of maturing leaves) is used.