How to Grow Lemongrass: Planting, Spacing, Care & Harvest

Quick answer

Set plants out after last frost (WI/USU). Dig, harvest, or bring pots in by first frost. Wisconsin: leaf edges are finely serrated and rough enough to cut skin — handle carefully.

Lemongrass at a glance

PlantTransplant: last frost; Dig / overwinter: last frost
SunFull sun; moist loam / high organic matter (WI/USU).
WaterUSU: well-drained moist rich loam; avoid waterlogged soils; water regularly.
SpacingUSU: space divisions 3 feet apart; plants about 3 to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide under good conditions.
Days to harvestHarvest stems ~½ in thick; full harvest before first fall frost (WI/USU)
-3-2-1LF+1+2+3
■ Start indoors   ■ Plant out   ■ Harvest
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.
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Updated

Planting dates for your ZIP: the ZIP planting planner counts each window from your local frost dates.

Organic pests and diseases: see also organic pest control. Use any product as the label directs.

Safety: Wisconsin: the coarse, strap-like leaves are “finely serrated on the edges (rough enough to cut skin).” Handle carefully; gloves help when harvesting. (Wisconsin lemongrass)

Culinary lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) — tender perennial grown as an annual north. Not citronella grass (C. nardus).

Lemongrass plants
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus). Photo: Obsidian Soul, Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (resized).

Planting timing

Wisconsin: “Place plants outside as soon as the danger from frost is past. Be sure to acclimate plants to outdoor conditions.” “Frost will kill or severely damage the plants, so harvest or dig before overnight temperatures get to freezing.” (Wisconsin lemongrass) USU: “Plant lemongrass after the last frost or grow it in a pot and move it outdoors after temperatures warm in the spring.” Bring pots in when temperatures cool; before first fall frost save a 6 inch bulbous shoot base for next year. (USU lemongrass) Planner: Transplant last frost 0; Dig / overwinter first frost 0. Prefer divisions or rooted grocery stalks over seed (USU).

Depth and spacing

USU: space divisions 3 feet apart; plants about 3 to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide under good conditions. WI: clumps up to 6 feet in diameter; leaves up to 3 feet long.

Sun, soil and water

Full sun; moist loam / high organic matter (WI/USU). USU: well-drained moist rich loam; avoid waterlogged soils; water regularly. WI: “requires a great deal of water.”

Care

Tender perennial grown as an annual north (WI/USU). Container culture helps in cool summers (USU). Overwinter indoors warm and bright. Divide clumps annually for productivity (USU). Prefer compost over printed fertilizer product rates.

Harvest

WI/USU: cut stems at ground level when about ½ inch thick; discard leaves and woody outer layers; use the inner stalk. Full harvest before first fall frost in cool climates; freeze stalks up to about 6 months (USU). Handle leaves carefully — serrated edges can cut skin (WI).

Pests and diseases

WI: essentially no pest problems in the Midwest. USU: generally free when grown correctly; spider mites mostly indoors — forceful water jet or insecticidal soap as labeled.

Related: lemon balm · ZIP planner · organic pest control

Frequently asked questions

When do I plant lemongrass outside?

After last frost. Harden first (WI/USU).

Will frost kill it?

Yes — dig/harvest or bring pots in by first frost (WI/USU).

Do the leaves cut?

Yes — finely serrated edges are rough enough to cut skin (Wisconsin).

More grow guides: All grow guides

Sources