Lemongrass Planting Guide
Lemongrass is a tropical grass with a strong citrus aroma used extensively in Southeast Asian cuisine. The swollen stem bases are the most flavorful part.
Cymbopogon citratus · Herb · Poaceae family · 75–120 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Lemongrass Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Lemongrass?
Lemongrass Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Lemongrass planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 8a | Jan 18 | Mar 15 | Mar 22 | Jun 7 – Sep 6 |
| Zone 8b | Jan 7 | Mar 4 | Mar 11 | May 27 – Aug 26 |
| Zone 9a | Dec 30 | Feb 17 | Feb 17 | May 5 – Aug 4 |
| Zone 9b | Dec 14 | Feb 1 | Feb 1 | Apr 19 – Jul 19 |
| Zone 10a | Nov 20 | Jan 8 | Jan 8 | Mar 26 – Jun 25 |
| Zone 10b | Nov 20 | Jan 8 | Jan 8 | Mar 26 – Jun 25 |
| Zone 11a | Nov 20 | Jan 8 | Jan 8 | Mar 26 – Jun 25 |
| Zone 11b | Nov 20 | Jan 8 | Jan 8 | Mar 26 – Jun 25 |
How to Plant Lemongrass
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
High — keep soil consistently moist
Keep soil consistently moist. Mulch heavily to retain moisture.
🧪 Soil pH
5.5 – 7.5
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 8a – 11b
📅 Days to Maturity
75–120 days
Medium-season crop. Start early for best results in shorter seasons.
👪 Plant Family
Poaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Poaceae family crops grew last year.
Succession Planting Lemongrass
Lemongrass matures in just 75–120 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 2 successive plantings by sowing every 8.6 weeks.
Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.
Companion Planting for Lemongrass
✅ Good Companions
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Lemongrass
Start from divisions or store-bought stalks rooted in water. Grow in rich, moist soil with full sun. In cold climates, grow in containers and overwinter indoors.
Saving Lemongrass Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.
Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Level Up Your Garden
Lemongrass by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Lemongrass?
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) takes 75 to 120 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Lemongrass grow in?
Lemongrass can be grown in USDA zones 8a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Lemongrass need?
Growing Lemongrass requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), High — keep soil consistently moist, and soil pH of 5.5 to 7.5.