How to Grow Lemongrass
Lemongrass At a Glance
Difficulty
Easy
Category
Herb
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Frost Tolerance
Frost Tender
Cold Hardiness
Survives to 0°C
Plant Family
Poaceae
Growing Season
Warm Season
Plant Lifecycle
Perennial
How to Start It
★ Recommended for beginners
Buy a few fresh lemongrass stalks at the grocery store, with the round base still on, and stand them in a glass with 3 cm of water on a warm, sunny windowsill. Change the water every couple of days, and roots appear in 1 to 2 weeks. Once the roots are about 3 cm long, plant each stalk in a pot of potting mix, and move it outside about 2 weeks after your last frost.
Lemongrass almost never makes seed in our climate, but stalks from the grocery store root easily, so one bunch can start a whole patch. It is killed by frost, so grow it in a big pot you can bring indoors for winter.
When To Start
Lemongrass needs warmth. Wait until your last frost has passed and the soil has warmed before sowing.
We do not have exact sowing dates for this one yet.
When should you plant Lemongrass?
Your planting dates depend on your local climate. Sign up and add your location to unlock personalized dates.
Your Lemongrass Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
Your Lemongrass Calendar
Set your location to turn these into exact dates and reminders.
Move lemongrass outside once nights are warm
2 weeks after your last frost
Cut lemongrass stalks once they are pencil thick
90 days after your last frost· every year
Cut lemongrass back and bring it indoors before frost
3 weeks before your first frost· every year
Water your new lemongrass plants well while they settle in. Deep and slow is best.
About 1 days after you plant it
How is your lemongrass doing? Keep the soil damp and give it a warm, sunny spot.
About 30 days after you plant it
Your lemongrass has had time to settle in. Water it often in warm weather, it likes steady moisture.
About 90 days after you plant it
The Journey Ahead
Lemongrass's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Growing Tips
- 1Give lemongrass full sun and as much heat as you can, like a sunny deck or a south-facing balcony.
- 2Plant it in rich, moist soil or a large pot of potting mix with plenty of compost.
- 3Water often so the soil never dries out, since this is a thirsty plant.
- 4Feed with compost tea or worm castings every 2 to 3 weeks in summer to keep new stalks coming.
- 5Before your first fall frost, cut the leaves back to about 15 cm and bring the pot indoors to a bright, cool window, watering only lightly over winter.
- 6The leaf edges are sharp enough to cut skin, so wear gloves, and keep cats and dogs from chewing it, since it upsets their stomachs.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
100 cm
Mature Height
60 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
When to Pick
Cut outer stalks once they're pencil-thick; harvest through the warm season
How to Harvest
- 1Start cutting once stalks are at least as thick as a pencil, about 1 cm across.
- 2Cut or snap each stalk off at soil level, taking the outer ones first so the middle keeps growing.
- 3Peel off the tough outer layers and use the pale bottom 10 to 15 cm, sliced thin or bruised, in soups, curries and tea.
- 4The green leaves are too tough to eat but make a lovely tea.
- 5Keep stalks in the fridge for 2 weeks, or freeze them whole.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
Seed Production
Still have a question?
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