Grow lemongrass in full sun, with even moisture, and summer heat. Lemongrass is Cymbopogon citratus, also called lemon grass.
Give it full sun, moist soil that drains, and summer heat
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Sun | Full sun for lemongrass | Do not grow it in shade |
| Soil | Moist loam that drains after rain | Do not leave the crown in standing water |
| Water | Keep the soil evenly moist in summer heat | Do not let the bed dry out in heat |
| Feed | A monthly nitrogen feed in the ground through summer | Do not skip feed all summer |
Lemongrass is a tropical grass. It wants a full day of sun and soil that stays evenly moist in heat but still drains after rain. [1] Growth is slow in cool weather, then the clump swells once summer arrives. Water so the bed does not dry, and feed an in-ground plant through the warm months. [2] [3] A bed that bakes all afternoon still needs water the same day, because this grass will not sit through a dry spell the way a drought-hardy shrub does. Rich, moist loam beats a lean, dry ridge. lemongrass wants that same sun and moisture. Citronella grass shares the heat, but you buy that clump for oil, not Thai cooking — pick the kind on Types of Cymbopogon. [4] If frost is regular where you garden, keep the clump in a container you can move on Lemongrass in Pots.
Does lemongrass need full sun?
Yes. Give it a full day of sun. Shade makes a thin clump that never fills out.
How often should I water lemongrass?
Keep the soil evenly moist in summer heat. Do not let the bed dry out, and do not leave the crown in standing water.
Not lemon verbena — and not a citronella geranium
Lemon verbena is Aloysia citrodora, a woody shrub grown for tea leaves — see How to Grow Lemon Verbena. A citronella geranium, also sold as a mosquito plant, is Pelargonium — see How to Grow Geraniums. Those are not this grass. Citronella grass is still Cymbopogon; it is the oil clump, not a scented geranium.
Is lemongrass the same as lemon verbena?
No. Lemongrass is Cymbopogon, a tropical grass. Lemon verbena is Aloysia, a shrub with lemon-scented leaves.
If the clump stays thin, move it into more sun and keep the soil evenly moist through the heat.
FAQ
Will lemongrass come back after winter?
Only where frost never hits the crown. Everywhere else, treat it as an annual, or bring a pot inside before a freezing night.
Does a living clump keep mosquitoes off the patio?
No. Citronella oil is used in sprays and candles. A plant in the ground does not replace that. Grow the clump for cooking or scent, and empty standing water nearby.
Is lemongrass a lemon tree?
No. A lemon tree is Citrus. Lemongrass is a tropical grass. Care for citrus on How to Grow Citrus.
Is lemongrass toxic to pets?
Keep cats, dogs, and horses from chewing the leaves. The oils can make them sick. This is not a drainage problem.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] NC State Extension Gardener -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cymbopogon-citratus/ - [2] Utah State University Extension -
https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/lemongrass-in-the-garden - [3] Wisconsin Horticulture -
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/lemongrass/ - [4] UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County -
https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-santa-clara-county/lemongrass
This note is part of Cymbopogon Guides.
More first-season notes by plant are gathered in How to Grow Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors