How to grow Lemongrass
Updated October 2026
Lemongrass is a large, fragrant clumping grass grown for its lemon-scented stalks, a staple of Thai and Southeast Asian cooking. It is perennial in frost-free areas such as Florida, South Texas, Southern California and Hawaii, where it can reach 6 feet. Elsewhere grow it as a summer crop or in a pot brought indoors for winter.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Lemongrass
Where to plant
Plant lemongrass in full or part sun in fertile soil that stays moist but drains well. In Florida it grows to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide and can be used as an edging or accent plant as well as a herb. The leaves stay green most of the year and may turn red in fall and winter.
It is frost tender. The UF/IFAS assessment of non-native plants rates it not a problem species in Florida.
- Central and South Florida, Hawaii and frost-free Southern California: grows year-round as a perennial.
- North Florida, the Gulf South and Texas: grow it as a summer crop. Plant divisions after the last frost, then mulch the clump heavily for winter or pot up a division and bring it inside.
- Northern California: plant in spring after frost, and grow it in a pot you can move or cover it on frost nights.
- The Desert Southwest: plant after frost and water regularly through the hot season.
- Colder regions: grow it in a pot outdoors in summer and bring it inside for winter, without letting it dry out.
How to plant
- Start with a rooted division from a nursery or another gardener.
- Plant in spring after the last frost, about 2 1/2 feet apart, at the same depth as the clump grew.
- Water well and keep the soil moist while new shoots grow.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil evenly moist through the growing season, especially in containers. Lemongrass grows fast and lush with regular water and a nitrogen-rich fertilizer in spring and summer.
Pruning and care through the year
- Cut back old, brown leaves in late winter or early spring to make way for new growth.
- Divide crowded clumps every couple of years in spring to keep them vigorous.
- Before frost in cold areas, pot up a division and keep it in a bright spot indoors, watering sparingly but never letting it dry out.
Harvesting
Cut stalks at ground level. Trim off the lower bulb end, peel away the tough outer leaves and use the tender inner stalk, cut or bruised to release its flavor, in soups, curries and teas.
Growing in pots
Lemongrass grows well in a large container of good potting mix. This is the easiest way to keep it from year to year in cold regions: grow it outdoors in summer and move it inside before frost.
Propagation and saving seed
Divide established clumps in spring, keeping a few stalks with roots in each piece.
Companion planting
Lemongrass grows into a large clump. Give it room at the edge of a bed or along a fence where it will not shade smaller plants.
Good companions
- Galangal Another Southeast Asian kitchen staple that likes warmth and moisture.
Pests and diseases
Lemongrass has few pests or diseases in home gardens.
Lemongrass is rarely troubled by pests.
Diseases to watch for
- Rust Rusty brown streaks and pustules on leaves in warm, humid weather; remove affected leaves.
Common questions
When should I plant lemongrass?
In spring, after the last frost. It is frost tender, so in cold areas grow it as a summer crop or in a pot that comes indoors for winter.
How do I harvest lemongrass?
Cut stalks at ground level, trim off the bulb end and tough outer leaves, and use the tender inner stalk in cooking.
Will lemongrass survive winter?
Only where it does not freeze. In colder areas, pot up a division before frost and keep it indoors in a bright spot, or mulch it heavily along the Gulf Coast.
Is lemongrass safe for pets?
NC State Extension flags lemongrass as a problem for cats, dogs and horses, so keep pets from chewing it.
How big does lemongrass get?
In Florida it can grow 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide. In pots and colder areas it stays smaller.
Sources we checked: UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Lemongrass; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Cymbopogon citratus; UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas: Cymbopogon citratus.
Loading sow calendar…