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When to Plant Lemongrass in Florida

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.

Florida spans USDA hardiness zones 10a, 10b, 11a, 8b, 9a, 9b (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

Find Your County

Click your county for exact Lemongrass planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Lemongrass Planting Calendar for Florida

Zone 10a ~364 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: January 1 · First frost: December 31 · 364 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors November 20 Nov 20 – Dec 4
Transplant Outdoors January 8 Jan 8 – Jan 22
Direct Sow January 8 Jan 8 – Jan 29
Harvest March 26 Mar 26 – Jun 25
Zone 10b ~364 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: January 1 · First frost: December 31 · 364 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors November 20 Nov 20 – Dec 4
Transplant Outdoors January 8 Jan 8 – Jan 22
Direct Sow January 8 Jan 8 – Jan 29
Harvest March 26 Mar 26 – Jun 25
Zone 11a ~364 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: January 1 · First frost: December 31 · 364 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors November 20 Nov 20 – Dec 4
Transplant Outdoors January 8 Jan 8 – Jan 22
Direct Sow January 8 Jan 8 – Jan 29
Harvest March 26 Mar 26 – Jun 25
Zone 8b ~276 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: February 25 · First frost: November 28 · 276 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 7 Jan 7 – Jan 21
Transplant Outdoors March 11 Mar 11 – Mar 25
Direct Sow March 4 Mar 4 – Mar 25
Harvest May 27 May 27 – Aug 26
Zone 9a ~303 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: February 10 · First frost: December 10 · 303 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 30 Dec 30 – Jan 13
Transplant Outdoors February 17 Feb 17 – Mar 3
Direct Sow February 17 Feb 17 – Mar 10
Harvest May 5 May 5 – Aug 4
Zone 9b ~329 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: January 25 · First frost: December 20 · 329 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 14 Dec 14 – Dec 28
Transplant Outdoors February 1 Feb 1 – Feb 15
Direct Sow February 1 Feb 1 – Feb 22
Harvest April 19 Apr 19 – Jul 19

Growing Tips for Florida

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lemongrass in Florida?

Planting dates for Lemongrass in Florida depend on your USDA zone. Florida spans zones 10a, 10b, 11a, 8b, 9a, 9b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is Florida for planting?

Florida contains USDA hardiness zones 10a, 10b, 11a, 8b, 9a, 9b. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Last updated: April 2026.