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How to Grow Lemongrass

Cymbopogon citratus

Tender Warm Season Continuous Harvest

When to Start

Start seeds indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant outdoors once night temperatures stay above 15°C and soil has warmed to at least 20°C.

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Growth Stages

Sow seeds
Germination ~14d
Harvest ~150d

Approximate days from start

Care Essentials

  • Feed every 2-3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser during the growing season. Lemongrass is a hungry plant that benefits from regular feeding.
  • Tropical plant that needs 20C+ to grow well. In the UK, treat as a tender annual or grow in pots and overwinter indoors. Can be propagated from supermarket stalks — place in water until roots form, then pot up. Needs a warm, sunny, sheltered position.

Companion Planting

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Growing Conditions

Min. soil temperature: 20°C+

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Spacing & Planting

Plant spacing 60 cm
Row spacing 60 cm
Mature height 100 cm
Mature spread 60 cm

Lemongrass forms large clumps. In the UK, grow in large pots (at least 30 cm diameter) so plants can be brought indoors for winter.

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Care Guide

Feeding
Feed every 2-3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser during the growing season. Lemongrass is a hungry plant that benefits from regular feeding.
Watch for
  • Red spider mite
  • Rust
  • Cold damage
  • Overwatering rot

Pests & Diseases

Pest Red Spider Mite

Identification: Fine webbing on leaf undersides; tiny red-brown mites; leaves become speckled and yellow

Organic treatment:
  • Mist plants regularly to raise humidity — mites hate moisture
  • Introduce Phytoseiulus persimilis predatory mites in greenhouses
Chemical treatment:
  • Spray with fatty acid-based miticide if infestation is severe
Pest Aphids

Identification: Clusters of green aphids on young leaves; sticky honeydew

Organic treatment:
  • Blast off with water
  • Encourage natural predators
Chemical treatment:
  • Fatty acid spray if needed
Disease Lemongrass Rust Puccinia spp.

Symptoms: Orange-brown pustules on leaves; leaves may yellow and die back

Treatment: Remove and destroy affected leaves; improve air circulation

Prevention: Ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; do not overcrowd plants

Disease Root Rot Pythium spp.

Symptoms: Yellowing leaves; wilting despite moist soil; mushy brown roots; plant collapses

Treatment: Remove affected plants; improve drainage; reduce watering

Prevention: Use well-draining compost; do not overwater; ensure pots have drainage holes

Growing Conditions

Min. soil temperature20°C
Base growth temperature15°C
Photoperiod sensitivityday neutral

Frequently Asked Questions

How far apart should I plant Lemongrass?
Plant Lemongrass 60cm apart with 60cm between rows.
When can I harvest Lemongrass?
Lemongrass is ready to harvest approximately 90 days after transplanting.
Is Lemongrass frost hardy?
Lemongrass is classified as Tender.

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