Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is an evergreen perennial herb in the Poaceae family. It grows 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft) tall and 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 4 °C (39 °F). Space plants about 70 cm (28 in) apart.
Plan Lemongrass in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Lemongrass at a glance
| Type | Perennial herb, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Poaceae |
| Mature height | 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 70 cm (28 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Cold hardiness | About 4 °C (39 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Yes: stalk bases, leaves |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇲🇾 Malaysia |
Is Lemongrass toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: leaves, essential oil
Essential oils in lemongrass can upset the stomach of cats and dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Lemongrass
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Lemongrass in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Gardens by the Bay (6 plants)
- Thai tropical garden (6 plants)
Questions about Lemongrass
- How far apart should I plant Lemongrass?
- About 70 cm (28 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft).
- Does Lemongrass need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Lemongrass need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Lemongrass?
- It tolerates about 4 °C (39 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- Is Lemongrass poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Essential oils in lemongrass can upset the stomach of cats and dogs.
- What grows well with Lemongrass?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Lemongrass. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Rarely flowers in cultivation; dry leaves are flammable.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Fountain grass Pennisetum alopecuroides
- Sweet corn Zea mays var. saccharata
- Clumping bamboo Fargesia murielae
- Maiden grass (miscanthus) Miscanthus sinensis
- Golden bamboo Phyllostachys aurea
- Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
- Little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium
- Blue fescue Festuca glauca