Lemon Grass

A fragrant tropical grass featuring elegant, arching green leaves, a refreshing citrus aroma, and exceptional versatility for gardens and outdoor living spaces.

Cymbopogon citratus

Also known as Lemongrass, West Indian Lemongrass, or Citronella Grass (not to be confused with true citronella grass)

Bring refreshing fragrance, natural texture, and tropical beauty to your landscape with Lemon Grass. This fast-growing ornamental and culinary grass is admired for its graceful, arching foliage, distinctive lemon scent, and attractive clumping growth habit.

Popular in tropical landscapes and herb gardens, Lemon Grass combines ornamental appeal with practical culinary uses. Its fragrant leaves and tender lower stalks are commonly used in teas, soups, marinades, and traditional Asian-inspired dishes.

Its excellent heat tolerance, vigorous growth, and relatively low maintenance requirements make it a beautiful and functional addition to Florida gardens, patios, and decorative containers.

Ideal For

Herb gardens, tropical landscapes, edible gardens, decorative containers, sunny patios, outdoor kitchens, garden borders, mass plantings, and contemporary landscape designs.

Florida planting note: Lemon Grass performs exceptionally well in South Florida's warm climate, where it can grow throughout much of the year. In cooler regions, growth may slow during winter, and frost can damage or kill exposed foliage.

Although its citrus fragrance is often associated with mosquito-repellent products, growing Lemon Grass in a garden does not reliably prevent mosquito bites or eliminate mosquitoes.

🌿 Plant Features

Botanical Name: Cymbopogon citratus
Common Name: Lemon Grass / Lemongrass
Plant Type: Tropical perennial grass / Culinary herb
Mature Height: Approximately 3–5 ft
Mature Spread: Approximately 2–4 ft
Growth Habit: Upright, dense clumping grass with long, arching foliage
Foliage Color: Light to medium green
Foliage: Long, narrow, strap-like leaves with a distinctive citrus fragrance
Growth Rate: Fast during warm weather
Florida Native: No; native to tropical Asia
USDA Zones: Approximately 10–11 as an outdoor perennial; may return from the roots in some protected Zone 9 locations
Blooming: Rarely flowers in cultivation; primarily grown for its aromatic foliage and culinary stalks.

Lemon Grass forms attractive, fountain-like clumps that bring movement, texture, and a refreshing tropical appearance to outdoor spaces.

💧 Care & Maintenance Guide

Light:
Thrives in full sun, ideally receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Adequate sunlight encourages vigorous growth, healthy foliage, and strong aromatic development.

Watering:
Water regularly, especially during active growth and hot weather. Lemon Grass prefers consistently moist but well-drained soil.

Once established, it can tolerate occasional short dry periods, but prolonged drought may cause leaf tips to brown and reduce growth.

Soil:
Prefers fertile, well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. It adapts to sandy soils when provided with appropriate irrigation and nutrients.

Avoid prolonged standing water around the roots.

Temperature:
Performs best in warm tropical and subtropical climates, particularly when temperatures remain between approximately 70°F and 95°F (21°C–35°C).

Protect from frost and freezing temperatures. In cooler climates, container-grown plants can be moved indoors during winter.

Humidity:
Thrives in warm, humid conditions and adapts well to Florida's tropical climate.

Fertilization:
Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season, following product instructions. Plants grown for culinary harvesting may benefit from periodic feeding to support fresh foliage production.

Pruning:
Remove dry, damaged, or yellowing leaves as needed. Cut back older foliage to maintain a clean appearance and encourage fresh growth.

For culinary harvesting, remove mature outer stalks near the base while allowing younger shoots to continue developing.

Spacing:
Space plants approximately 2–3 feet apart for landscape plantings, depending on the desired fullness and mature size.

Allow sufficient room for the natural expansion of each clump.

🌿 Fragrance & Culinary Tip

Lemon Grass releases its refreshing citrus aroma most noticeably when its leaves are brushed, crushed, or cut.

For culinary use, harvest firm, mature stalks near the base of the plant. The tender lower portion is commonly used to flavor soups, curries, marinades, and herbal beverages.

Fresh leaves may also be steeped to prepare aromatic tea.

For the best flavor and quality, use plants grown with food-safe fertilizers and pest management practices.

Common Issues

Lemon Grass is generally a vigorous and resilient plant, but several conditions may affect its appearance and growth.

Overwatering in poorly drained soil can contribute to root problems, while extended dry conditions may cause browning leaf tips.

Watch for occasional aphids, spider mites, and fungal leaf diseases, particularly when plants are overcrowded or air circulation is limited.

Cold temperatures can damage foliage and slow growth considerably.

The edges of mature leaves may be sharp, so handle the plant carefully during trimming or harvesting.

📦 What You’ll Receive

A Lemon Grass — Cymbopogon citratus plant in your selected container size, featuring healthy, aromatic green foliage and a naturally upright, clumping growth habit.

Plant height, width, foliage density, and overall fullness may vary depending on the selected size, nursery stock, growing conditions, and season.

Each plant is selected for healthy growth, ornamental appeal, and its characteristic refreshing citrus fragrance.

💡 Acclimation Tip

After delivery, gradually introduce your Lemon Grass to full sunlight if it was previously grown under nursery shade or greenhouse conditions.

Water thoroughly after planting and maintain consistent soil moisture during the establishment period.

Avoid allowing newly transplanted plants to dry out completely, particularly during Florida's hot summer months.

Some temporary leaf yellowing or browning may occur as the plant adjusts to its new environment. Remove damaged foliage as new growth develops.

⚠️ Safety Note

Lemon Grass is not considered pet-safe and may cause digestive upset if consumed by dogs or cats.

Although commonly used as a culinary herb for humans, pets should be discouraged from chewing or eating the leaves and stalks.

Mature leaves can have sharp edges that may cause minor skin irritation or cuts during handling.

Wear gloves when pruning or harvesting large clumps, and keep sharp foliage away from areas where children or pets frequently play.

Landscape Use

Lemon Grass is an excellent choice for adding natural movement, lush texture, and refreshing fragrance to tropical and contemporary landscapes.

Its graceful, arching leaves create attractive contrasts alongside broad-leaf tropical plants, flowering shrubs, ornamental palms, and decorative stone.

In South Florida, Lemon Grass works beautifully in sunny garden beds, herb gardens, poolside planting areas, large outdoor containers, and landscape borders.

Its upright clumping habit makes it useful for softening hardscape edges, creating informal garden divisions, and adding vertical interest to ornamental planting designs.

Whether grown for its culinary versatility or ornamental appeal, Lemon Grass provides an attractive combination of beauty, fragrance, and practical functionality.

🌱 Bring Fresh Tropical Fragrance to Your Garden with Leafittome

Add natural beauty, refreshing citrus fragrance, and versatile greenery to your outdoor space with Lemon Grass.

Perfect for tropical gardens, sunny patios, decorative containers, and culinary herb collections, Lemon Grass brings both elegance and everyday practicality to your landscape.

Select your preferred plant size and order your Lemon Grass today from Leafittome.

Shop Now — Bring the Beauty of Nature Home with Leafittome!