Botanical profile

Lemongrass

Latin name
Cymbopogon citratus
Common name
Lemongrass
Type
Aromatic tropical grass
Family
Poaceae (grasses)

Lemongrass is a tropical aromatic plant highly valued for its long, narrow, and strongly scented foliage, with a fresh, lemony taste. It adds a beautiful exotic touch to herb pots, urban vegetable gardens, patio containers, and edible landscapes. Widely used in Asian cuisine, it wonderfully flavors soups, curries, stir-fries, marinades, broths, sauces, infusions, and cold drinks.

Easy to grow during the warm season, lemongrass prefers a very sunny, warm, and wind-protected location, in rich, light, and well-drained soil. It grows particularly well in pots, which allows it to be placed near the kitchen or on the patio to enjoy its fragrance. Regular watering promotes good growth and more tender stems, while avoiding overwatering. As it is not hardy in our climate, it is usually grown as an annual or brought indoors before the cold.

Both decorative, fragrant, and very useful in cooking, lemongrass is ideal for creating a gourmet garden with tropical accents. Its graphic foliage adds height and movement to containers, while its lemony scent makes it an essential plant for lovers of fresh and aromatic recipes. It is an excellent choice for gardeners looking for an original, productive, and easy-to-integrate herb on a patio, balcony, or in a sunny vegetable garden.

Care guide

Care level
Easy

Choosing this plant

Main benefit
Aromatic lemon foliage ideal for Asian cuisine and herbal teas
Container, patio, vegetable garden, herb garden, Asian cuisine, herbal tea
Container growing
Excellent container culture, recommended for cold climates
Seasonal care
Bring indoors before the cold; cut back stems if needed; divide clumps in spring if necessary
Growing conditions

Light, soil, water and hardiness

Hardiness zone
Not hardy
Exposure
Full sun
Watering
Regularly; keep the soil slightly moist without waterlogging it.
Humidity
Average humidity; prefers warm, slightly moist soil
Fertilization
Regular fertilization in pots during growth
Soil type
Fertile, warm, moist, but well-drained soil
Soil pH
Slightly acidic to neutral
Minimum temperature
10°C
Propagation method
Division of clumps or stem cuttings
Plant appearance

Blooming, foliage and shape

Blooming period
Rare in cultivation
Flower color
Pale green to cream
Fruiting
Stems thickened at the base
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Persistent in warm climates
Shape
Upright tuft of aromatic strap-shaped leaves
Garden structure

Size and growth

Height
90 to 150 cm (36 to 60 inches)
Width
60 to 90 cm (24 to 36 inches)
Growth rate
Rapid growth
Vegetable garden and yield

Companion planting, spacing and harvest

Companion plants
Thai basil, cilantro, chilies, ginger
Plants to avoid
Plants that prefer very dry soils, such as lavender, thyme, and rosemary
Spacing
45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 inches)
Harvest period
Spring to fall stems
Not recommended for pets
Not recommended for pets

Pets

Repellent
Helps repel certain pests

Repellent

The availability of our plants varies depending on arrivals, seasons, nursery production and supplier availability. Some varieties may be offered for a limited time only, depending on their natural cycle or current stock. These plant profiles are designed to guide and inspire you when choosing plants for the garden, landscaping projects, containers or long-lasting outdoor arrangements.