When to Plant Lemongrass in USDA Zone 9a
April in Zone 9a — your action list
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this April, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
Before May arrives, get these ready
- First harvests: lemongrass
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.
In Zone 9a, the average last spring frost is around February 10 and the first fall frost is around December 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 303 days.
Lemongrass Planting Timeline — Zone 9a
Where Is USDA Zone 9a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 9a. Click any state to see the Lemongrass planting schedule for that location.
Lemongrass Planting Calendar — Zone 9a
| 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 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors |
| February | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | — |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | Start Indoors |
Free Zone 9a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 9a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
High — keep soil consistently moist
Days to Maturity
75–120 days
Soil pH
5.5 – 7.5
Zone Temperature Range
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
303 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 8 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Lemongrass in Zone
Sow every 8.6 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Lemongrass in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~303 days). Start Lemongrass indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
- Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
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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.
Related Plants
Lemongrass in Other Zones
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
When should I plant Lemongrass in Zone 9a?
In Zone 9a, plan your Lemongrass planting around the average last frost date of February 10. Start seeds indoors around December 30. Direct sow outdoors around February 17. Transplant seedlings around February 17.
Can Lemongrass grow in Zone 9a?
Yes, Lemongrass can grow well in Zone 9a, hardy in USDA zones 8a through 11b. Zone 9a has a growing season of approximately 303 days, which is sufficient for Lemongrass (75-120 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Lemongrass in Zone 9a?
In Zone 9a, expect to harvest Lemongrass from May 5 – August 4. Lemongrass takes 75-120 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 9a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 9a is around February 10, and the first fall frost is around December 10. This gives a growing season of approximately 303 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Lemongrass?
Good companion plants for Lemongrass include Tomatoes, Peppers. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.