Lemongrass

Lemongrass

West Coast Seeds

$3.99
Title

Bring a touch of the tropics to your garden with this elegant and aromatic grass. Lemongrass forms lush, clumping mounds of slender, blue-green blades that sway gracefully in the breeze. Its tall, architectural stems are not only a staple for authentic Thai and Vietnamese cuisine but also serve as a striking structural element for containers and borders, filling the air with a refreshing, citrusy scent whenever the foliage is brushed.

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Seed Details

Difficulty:

Medium

Starting Method:

Indoors

Watering:

High

Days To Germinate:

5–21 Days

Life Cycle:

Tender Perennial

Light:

Full Sun

Plant Profile

Common Names:

Lemongrass, Oil Grass, Fever Grass, West Indian Lemongrass

Scientific Name:

Cymbopogon citratus

Family Name:

Poaceae

Type:

Herb / Ornamental Grass

Growth Details:

  • Mature Size: 60–90 cm (2–3') tall and wide in a single season; can reach 5' in tropical climates.
  • Growth Habit: Dense, clumping grass.
  • Seed/Plant Spacing: Space individual plants 60–90 cm (24–36") apart.

Bloom / Harvest Info:

  • Bloom Time: Rarely blooms in temperate climates; flowers are insignificant white/green panicles if they appear in late summer.
  • Bloom Colour: Inconspicuous white or light green.
  • Days To Maturity: 75–100 days.
  • Days Till Harvest: Stalks are typically ready for harvest once they reach at least 1.5 cm (1/2") in thickness.

Garden Benefits:

  • Attracts: Beneficial insects; some studies suggest its scent can deter mosquitoes. 
  • Uses: Essential for soups, curries, and teas; medicinal properties for digestion; ornamental interest in containers. 
  • Resistance: Generally pest-free; deer and rabbit resistant due to its strong aromatic oils.
Care Guide

Growing Guide

Starting Instructions:

  • When: Start indoors in late winter (6–8 weeks before the last frost). 
  • Where: Indoors in a warm environment; transplant to 5-gallon containers or fertile garden beds.
  • How To Plant: Press seeds gently 5 mm (1/4") into sterilized starting mix. Do not bury too deeply.

Germination:

Requires bottom heat (seedling heat mat) to maintain 21°C (70°F) and high humidity (using a plastic dome). Seeds should be kept in a dark room until they sprout.

Care:

  • Light Requirements: Full sun (at least 6 hours daily).
  • Moisture Requirements: High; prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil.
  • Frost Tolerance: Tender; zero frost tolerance. Must be moved indoors when nighttime temperatures approach 10°C (50°F).

Tips For Success:

  • Overwintering: Cut back to 15–20 cm (6–8") in late fall, reduce watering, and move to a bright, frost-free spot indoors.
  • Thinning: Not necessary for single container plants; divide large clumps every 2–3 years in early spring.
  • Support: Self-supporting, but avoid planting in high-wind areas where the tall blades might bend.

Companion Plants:

Cilantro, basil, chilies, and ginger. It also pairs well with marigolds to deter pests.

Heritage / Special Notes:

Untreated, open-pollinated seeds. Lemongrass is a "heavy feeder" and benefits from high-nitrogen organic fertilizers like alfalfa or blood meal.
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