Lemongrass is one of the better plants a homeowner can add near a patio, outdoor kitchen, grill area, or sunny herb bed. It looks like an ornamental grass, smells clean and citrusy when brushed or cut, and produces edible stalks for cooking. The catch is climate. Lemongrass is a tropical clumping grass, not a cold-hardy landscape grass for most of the United States.
If you give it at least 6 hours of direct sun, warm weather, consistent moisture, and well-drained soil, lemongrass grows fast. In a good summer it can reach about 3 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. In USDA Zones 9 to 11, it can usually live outdoors year-round. In colder zones, treat it as an annual or grow it in a container you can move before frost.
On our job sites, the plants that do best are rarely the ones placed as an afterthought. Lemongrass performs best when it is planned like part of the landscape: enough clearance from walkways, drainage that does not trap water near foundations, irrigation that reaches the root zone, and a winter plan before the first cold night arrives.
What Lemongrass Needs to Grow Well
Lemongrass, commonly Cymbopogon citratus, is a warm-season clumping grass grown for its thick lower stalks, citrus fragrance, and upright texture. It is not fussy, but it is not a shade plant, a wet-foot plant, or a winter-hardy perennial in cold climates.
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- Beautiful - Large premium packet of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) seeds. Cultivate an aromatic garden that adds fresh and exotic flavors to your dishes with this popular herb! Also known for its mosquito-repelling properties, lemon grass provides a natural barrier against pests while adding lush greenery to your outdoor space. This East Indian variety can easily be grown indoors in your kitchen or outdoors in the garden. Minimum of 200mg (about 385 seeds).
- Productive - Lemon Grass germinates in 7-14 days when soil temps are 65-86°F. Plant 1/6” deep and space 8-12” apart in an area with full sun. This variety will grow 3-5’ tall with a spread of 2’.This variety will mature in 75-100 days, plant in USDA Zones 3-13.
- Lemon Grass on Hand - Fresh, homegrown lemon grass adds a delicious aroma and zesty flavor to stir-fries, marinades, and other Asian dishes. This herb can also be used to make a refreshing herbal tea.
- Easy to Grow - Instructions included on each packet. Plus, we are available to answer all your questions. If these seeds don’t germinate, we will happily make it right for you.
- Safe and Sustainable - Our operation is fully solar powered, and Sow Right Seeds has taken the Safe Seed Pledge to sell only fresh Non-GMO heirloom seeds for you and your family.
Use these numbers as your baseline:
- Sun: Full sun is best. Plan for at least 6 hours of direct sun per day.
- Mature size: Commonly 3 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide.
- Spacing: Give each plant about 24 to 36 inches of width so the clump can mature without crowding paths.
- Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained loam with organic matter. A pH around 6.0 to 7.0 is a good target.
- Water: Consistent moisture during active growth, but never standing water around the roots.
- Best outdoor climate: Perennial mainly in USDA Zones 9 to 11. The current USDA hardiness map is the 2023 map based on 1991 to 2020 climate normals.
- Planting time: After frost danger has passed and nights are reliably warm.
Lemongrass grows slowly in cool spring weather, then takes off in summer heat and humidity. If a plant looks stalled in May, the problem may simply be cold soil and cool nights. Once the weather warms, a healthy plant can push a lot of new growth quickly.
Best Place to Plant Lemongrass
Start with sun and access. Lemongrass belongs where you will actually use it: near a kitchen door, grill station, patio, raised bed, or sunny walkway edge. It has enough presence to work as a landscape plant, but the leaves can have sharp edges, so do not jam it against tight paths, seating edges, or play areas.
For patios and outdoor kitchens, keep a mature spread of 2 to 3 feet in mind. A small starter plant in a 4-inch pot can look harmless in spring, then become a full clump by late summer. We like to leave at least 18 inches between the edge of the mature plant and a walking surface, more if the path is narrow or used daily.
Foundation and Hardscape Clearance
Near a house, treat lemongrass like any other landscape planting. Do not pile mulch against siding, stucco, brick weeps, trim, or door thresholds. Keep beds shaped so water drains away from the structure, not toward it. If you are improving a planting pocket in clay soil, avoid digging a deep hole and filling it with rich loose soil like a bathtub. Water can collect in that pocket and keep roots saturated. It is better to improve a broader area with compost and preserve drainage continuity into the surrounding soil.
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Growing Lemongrass in Containers vs In-Ground Beds
For most U.S. homeowners, a container is the most practical way to grow lemongrass. It lets you move the plant for sun, storms, frost, or winter storage. In-ground planting makes sense in warm zones or when you want a larger ornamental clump for the season.
| Growing Method | Best For | Minimum Size | Main Advantage | Main Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-inch container | One young plant for a season | 12 inches wide with drainage holes | Low cost and easy to move | Dries fast and can become rootbound |
| 16- to 18-inch container | Patio growing and regular harvest | 16 to 18 inches wide, similar depth | Better root volume and moisture stability | Heavier to move before frost |
| Large planter, 20 inches plus | Big decorative patio plant | 20 inches wide or larger | Less watering stress in summer | Higher cost and difficult overwintering |
| In-ground bed | Zones 9 to 11 or annual summer display | 24 to 36 inches spacing | Largest growth and best landscape impact | Cold damage in most climates |
For containers, use a high-quality potting mix, not heavy garden soil. The container must have drainage holes. A layer of gravel at the bottom is not a substitute for drainage; it usually just reduces usable root depth. If you need weight in a tall planter, use a properly draining pot insert or choose a heavier container, but keep the root zone filled with suitable potting mix.
For in-ground beds, loosen the soil 10 to 12 inches deep and work compost into the planting area. Mulch lightly after planting to reduce evaporation, but keep mulch pulled back from the crown of the plant.
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How to Plant Lemongrass Step by Step
Plant lemongrass after your last frost date, when the soil has warmed and nighttime temperatures are no longer cold. A plant set outside too early may survive but sit idle for weeks. In cold climates, waiting until late spring often produces a better plant than rushing it into chilly soil.
Rank #2
- High Germination & Vigor: lemon grass seeds sprout in 5–21 days at 75–86°F; perennial lemongrass plant forms clumping leaves; ideal heirloom seeds for kitchen herb garden and outdoor beds, USDA 8–11.
- Compact, Upright Growth: clumps reach 3–4 ft with harvestable stalks from 18 in; lemongrass for cooking; great for containers and kitchen garden; start indoors then transplant for strong yields.
- Easy Indoor Starts: start lemon grass seeds for planting 3 weeks before last frost; surface sow, keep moist, full sun; ideal for outdoor & indoor herb garden or hydroponic herb garden; Lemongrass seeds for planting also do well in heat.
- Culinary Versatility: lemongrass stalk and lemongrass leaves add citrus flavor to teas, soups, curries; fresh herbs for kitchen herb planter; harvest when stalks reach 1/2 in thick and 18 in tall.
- Low-Maintenance Care: moderate watering, moist well-drained soil; feed high-nitrogen fertilizer during growth; ideal lemon grass plants for outside; open-pollinated herb seeds for planting.
- Choose the plant. Buy a nursery start, plant a division, root a fresh grocery-store stalk if the base is intact, or start from seed. Starter plants are faster and more predictable than seed.
- Pick the site or pot. Choose full sun, good drainage, and enough room for a 2- to 3-foot-wide clump.
- Prepare the root zone. For containers, fill with potting mix and leave 1 to 2 inches of watering space at the top. For beds, amend with compost across a broad area.
- Plant at the same depth. Set the crown at the same level it grew in the nursery pot. Do not bury the crown deeply.
- Water thoroughly. Settle the soil around the roots without leaving the plant in standing water.
- Mulch in-ground plants. Use 1 to 2 inches of mulch, keeping it away from the crown and away from siding or foundation details.
If you are planting multiple lemongrass plants as an edge near a patio, space them 24 to 36 inches apart. Tighter spacing gives a faster full look, but it also makes harvesting, airflow, and maintenance harder later in the season.
Watering and Irrigation
Lemongrass likes steady moisture while it is actively growing. That does not mean soggy soil. The best pattern is deep watering followed by good drainage. Containers should be watered until water runs from the bottom, then allowed to drain freely.
In summer, check containers daily during heat waves, especially on patios and near masonry. A large, actively growing lemongrass plant can dry out a small pot quickly. In-ground plants usually need less frequent watering once established, but they still need help during hot, dry spells.
Use drip irrigation or hand watering at the base when possible. Wetting the foliage is not usually necessary, and overhead watering wastes more water in heat and wind. The EPA’s WaterSense program notes that U.S. residential outdoor water use is nearly 8 billion gallons per day, and inefficient irrigation or overwatering can waste as much as 50 percent. A simple drip line, timer adjustment, or smart controller can make a real difference.
Irrigation and Backflow Notes
If you are tying a new herb bed into an existing irrigation system, check local requirements before modifying anything. Many jurisdictions require backflow protection for irrigation systems connected to potable water. Some states and municipalities also regulate who can install, test, or repair those components.
For one or two containers, a watering can or hose wand is usually enough. For a patio planter group, a drip kit with a pressure regulator and timer can be worthwhile. If the work involves trenching, tapping a main line, adding valves, or changing backflow protection, that is no longer just a gardening task.
Fertilizing and Soil Care
Lemongrass grows a lot of foliage, so it appreciates fertile soil during the warm season. At planting, add compost to in-ground beds or use a good potting mix in containers. During active growth, a balanced slow-release fertilizer or periodic liquid feeding can keep growth strong.
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A practical schedule for containers is to mix in slow-release fertilizer at planting according to the label, then supplement lightly during peak summer growth if the plant is being harvested often. For in-ground plants, compost plus a balanced fertilizer in late spring is usually enough unless your soil is poor.
Do not try to force growth in winter. Indoors, lemongrass usually slows down because light is lower and temperatures are cooler. Fertilizing heavily during that period often leads to weak growth or watering problems.
Harvesting Lemongrass
You can begin harvesting once the stalks are thick enough to use, typically when the lower stems are around 1/2 inch wide or larger. Cut outer stalks cleanly at the base with a sharp knife or pruners. Do not yank stalks out of the clump; pulling can damage the crown and roots.
The tender lower portion of the stalk is the part most often used for cooking. The upper leaves are tougher but can be used for fragrance, teas, broths, or compost if they are clean and disease-free. Wear gloves when cutting or cleaning lemongrass because mature leaf blades can be sharp.
Rank #3
- High Germination Heirloom Seeds : Premium lemon grass live plant with strong sprouting performance. Grow lemon grass plant reaching 3–4 ft tall, ideal herbs seeds for outdoor gardens, containers, window herb garden.
- Aromatic Culinary Herb: Fresh lemongrass stalks and leaves deliver intense citrus aroma. Perfect non gmo seeds for lemongrass tea, soups, curries, and seasoning, producing flavorful lemon grass fresh harvests in 75 days in your home garden.
- Easy Growing Lemon Grass: Lemon grass seeds for planting outdoors thrive in full sun. Start medicinal herb seeds indoors 3 weeks before last frost, transplant herb plants after sprouting, and enjoy vigorous lemongrass plant growth.
- Heat Tolerant Tender Perennial: West Indian lemongrass seeds form clumping grasses. Lemongrass gardening seeds prefer warm weather, moist soil, and regular watering. The deliciously fresh, citrus lemon flavor is a very popular herb seeds for planting for its many different culinary uses.
- Non GMO Herb Seeds: Open pollinated lemongrass seed suitable for kitchen herb garden, or indoor starts. Ideal herbs plants live for gardeners seeking natural herbs, lemongrass fresh, lemon grass tea, lemon grass oil, lemongrass powder or lemon grass dried uses.
Frequent light harvesting helps keep the plant productive. If the clump becomes crowded, divide it. Crowded plants are harder to water evenly, harder to harvest, and more likely to decline in containers.
Overwintering by USDA Zone
The biggest mistake with lemongrass is assuming it will come back like a hardy ornamental grass. It is reliably perennial outdoors mainly in Zones 9 to 11. In Zone 8 and colder, plan ahead before frost.
| USDA Zone | Outdoor Expectation | Best Winter Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Zones 3 to 6 | Not winter-hardy outdoors | Grow in a container or dig a small division before first frost. Cut back and overwinter indoors. |
| Zone 7 | Usually damaged or killed by winter cold | Treat as annual unless protected. Save a division indoors for next spring. |
| Zone 8 | Borderline and unreliable | Mulch may help in mild winters, but keep a potted backup indoors. |
| Zones 9 to 11 | Generally perennial outdoors | Leave in place, cut back damaged foliage, and divide when crowded. |
Before frost, either move the container inside or dig a small section from an in-ground clump. Do not wait until the plant has been hit hard by cold. Cut the foliage back to a few inches to reduce mess, lower water demand, and make pest inspection easier.
Indoors, give lemongrass the brightest location you have. A sunny window is helpful; a grow light is better in northern climates. Keep the soil barely moist during slow winter growth. Overwatering a dormant or semi-dormant plant is one of the fastest ways to rot the roots.
Before placing lemongrass near houseplants, inspect it for spider mites and aphids. Quarantine it for a short period if you have valuable indoor plants. Look at the undersides of leaves and the base of the clump, not just the top growth.
Common Problems and Fixes
Most lemongrass problems come from site conditions, not mysterious diseases. If the plant is pale, thin, or floppy, check sunlight first. Less than 6 hours of direct sun usually means weaker stalks and less vigorous growth.
If leaf tips brown in summer, the plant may be drying out between waterings, especially in a small container. Move up to a 16- to 18-inch pot or water more consistently. If the plant yellows and the soil smells sour or stays wet, drainage is the likely issue.
Cold damage shows up as browning, collapse, or stalled growth after chilly nights. Lemongrass wants heat. Outdoor planting should wait until frost danger is past and the weather is warm enough for active growth.
Indoors, watch for spider mites, aphids, low light, and overwatering. Trim dead foliage, improve light, reduce watering during dormancy, and isolate pest problems early.
Rank #4
- Beautiful - Individual packets of herbs and flowers including Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Catnip (Nepeta cataria), Crackerjack Marigold (Tagetes erecta), Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), and Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus). These varieties look stunning while protecting the garden!
- Useful - Varieties that can be used as companion plants in the garden or planted in pots on your deck or porch to deter pesky insects and pests.
- Natural Solution - An organic and natural way to protect your garden and outdoor living area from mosquitoes, flies, ticks, aphids, and more!
- Easy to Grow - Instructions included on each packet. Plus, we are available to answer all your questions. If these seeds don’t germinate, we will happily make it right for you.
- Safe and Sustainable - Our operation is fully solar powered, and Sow Right Seeds has taken the Safe Seed Pledge to sell only fresh Non-GMO heirloom seeds for you and your family.
Does Lemongrass Repel Mosquitoes or Wasps?
Lemongrass contains aromatic compounds related to citronella, and the crushed foliage has a strong scent. That does not mean an intact plant on the patio is a dependable mosquito or wasp control system. It can be a useful fragrant plant, but it should not be your only pest plan.
For mosquitoes, the higher-impact steps are removing standing water, improving drainage, cleaning gutters, maintaining screens, and using proven repellents when needed. For wasps, avoid leaving food and sweet drinks exposed, seal openings where nests can be built, and call a qualified pest professional for active nests in walls, soffits, or high-traffic areas.
What Lemongrass Costs in 2026
Lemongrass itself is inexpensive. The real cost comes from containers, soil, irrigation, labor, and whether the plant is part of a larger landscape or patio project.
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| Option | Typical 2026 Cost | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Seeds | About $2 to $11 per packet or 100-seed pack | Lowest-cost route, but slower and less predictable |
| Single starter plant | About $10 to $25 at many garden centers | Best value for most homeowners |
| Online live plants | Often higher after shipping; some multipacks exceed $100 | Useful for specific varieties or off-season ordering |
| Container setup | About $25 to $90 for plant, 12- to 18-inch pot, mix, compost or fertilizer, and mulch | Patios, decks, renters, and cold climates |
| Small DIY bed addition | About $30 to $150 if only compost and mulch are needed | Sunny herb beds with good existing drainage |
| Professional planting or bed work | Flower-bed installation often runs about $800 to $3,000, with labor around $30 to $100 per hour or $5 to $15 per square foot | New beds, edging, soil correction, irrigation, or bundled landscape work |
| General gardener visit | National average around $150 per visit, with typical visits around $110 to $200 and hourly fees around $33 to $47 | Maintenance, planting help, division, or seasonal cleanup |
For a single patio plant, budget $25 to $90 and buy locally when possible. A decorative ceramic or self-watering planter can push the total above $100. For a small in-ground herb bed, costs stay low if the soil drains well and water is nearby. Costs climb when you add edging, imported soil, irrigation, deer protection, pet barriers, or hardscape repairs.
When to DIY vs When to Hire a Pro
Growing one lemongrass plant in a container is a straightforward DIY project. Buy a healthy start, use a 12- to 18-inch pot with drainage, set it in full sun, and water consistently. Most homeowners can handle that in under an hour.
DIY also makes sense for adding one or two plants to an existing sunny bed if the soil drains well and the bed is already shaped correctly. Keep the plant away from siding, preserve positive drainage, and avoid blocking hose bibs, cleanouts, crawlspace access, utility panels, or exterior maintenance paths.
Hire a pro when the plant is part of a larger landscape change. That includes building a new bed, correcting clay drainage, tying into irrigation, working near foundations, changing grade near a patio, installing edging, or coordinating plantings around an outdoor kitchen. A cheap herb plant is not worth creating a drainage problem against a house.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsAlso check HOA rules if the plant will be visible from the street or placed in a front-yard bed. Some communities restrict plant height, bed edging, containers, or changes near sidewalks and shared spaces. Lemongrass can reach 4 feet tall in a good season, so it is not always a tiny herb-garden detail.
Best Value
- Grow All You Want - Extra large bulk packet of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon); this carefully selected variety that can easily be grown indoors in your kitchen or outdoors in the garden. Minimum of 1.2g (about 1600 seeds).
- Productive - Lemon Grass germinates in 7-14 days when soil temps are 65-86°F. Plant 1/6” deep and space 8-12” apart in an area with full sun. This variety will grow 3-5’ tall with a spread of 2’.This variety will mature in 75-100 days, plant in USDA Zones 3-11.
- Lemon Grass on Hand - Imagine the delicious aroma and flavor that fresh lemon grass will add to your stir-fries and other Asian dishes. This herb can also be used to make a refreshing herbal tea. This super pack will provide you with enough seed to grow all season. You could also plant a large food plot for the community or to take to market.
- Easy to grow - Instructions included on each packet. Plus, we are available to answer all your questions. If these seeds don’t germinate, we will happily make it right for you.
- Safe and Sustainable - Our operation is fully solar powered, and Sow Right Seeds has taken the Safe Seed Pledge to sell only fresh Non-GMO heirloom seeds for you and your family.
Safety Notes for Homes With Kids and Pets
Lemongrass is useful and attractive, but placement matters. Mature leaves can be sharp enough to scratch skin, especially along narrow walkways. Use gloves when cutting it back or harvesting. Keep the plant set back from tight paths and seating areas where people brush against it constantly.
Pet-safety guidance commonly warns that large ingestion can be harmful to cats, dogs, and horses. If pets chew plants, keep lemongrass in a container you can place out of reach or choose another herb for that location. For any suspected pet poisoning, contact a veterinarian or animal poison control service immediately.
Bottom Line
Lemongrass is a low-cost, high-reward plant when it is treated like the tropical grass it is. Give it full sun, warm weather, steady moisture, and drainage. Use a 16- to 18-inch container if you want easier summer care and a realistic overwintering plan. Plant in the ground only when your climate or seasonal expectations match the plant.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteThe best results come from planning the practical details before planting: mature size, walkway clearance, patio heat, irrigation, frost protection, and drainage around the house. Get those right, and lemongrass is one of the simplest ways to add edible value and strong texture to an outdoor living space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does lemongrass come back every year?
Lemongrass is reliably perennial outdoors mainly in USDA Zones 9 to 11. In Zone 8 and colder, treat it as an annual or overwinter a container or division indoors before frost.
How big of a pot does lemongrass need?
Use at least a 12-inch pot for a young plant, but a 16- to 18-inch container is better for patio growing and regular harvesting. Larger pots dry out less quickly in summer.
How often should I water lemongrass?
Water consistently during active summer growth, especially in containers. Check patio containers daily during heat waves. In winter indoors, keep the soil barely moist rather than wet.
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Can lemongrass grow indoors year-round?
Yes, but it needs very bright light and usually grows more slowly indoors. A sunny window may work, but a grow light is often better in northern climates.
When should I harvest lemongrass?
Harvest once the outer stalks are thick enough to use, often around 1/2 inch wide at the base. Cut stalks cleanly at soil level instead of pulling them.
Do I need a permit to plant lemongrass?
A simple container or small garden planting usually does not need a permit. Irrigation changes, backflow work, grading near structures, HOA-visible beds, or work tied to a patio project may require approvals or a licensed professional.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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