Lemongrass is a lovely genus of grasses that can be easily grown in much of the Southwest – and into the Southeast as well. It will live outdoors year round in areas that don’t get much below 26F in winter (USDA Zones 8 to 12).

Lemongrass Genus

Lemongrass, also written lemon grass, is in the genus Cymbopogon. The genus is also called barbed wire grass, silky heads, oily heads, Cochin grass, Malabar grass, citronella grass, and fever grass. It is a genus of Asian, African, Australian, and tropical island plants – with roughly 50 species in the family.

Two species in the genus are best known for producing the lemony oils, West Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) and East Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus). The West Indian species is considered preferable for cooking because it has fewer bitter end notes. There are two other species that are famous for producing oil, specifically citronella oil – Cymbopogon nardus and Cymbopogon winterianus.

All four of these species can be grown in areas that don’t get below 26F, and the growing is generally the same.

Lemongrass is Useful

As a gardener, I enjoy this bold grass as part of the landscape because the masses of stiff leaves create a pleasing landscape accent.   Dried leaves add a zesty lemon taste to tea, handy when you don’t have a lemon in the house.  Cook much? Lemongrass is a featured herb in a number of Thai and other Asian dishes.

The javelina, rabbits, and even occasional deer do not bother this “barbed wire grass” because the edges are very sharp. But wait – there’s more! I often cut or pluck a few leaves and crush it to release the natural mosquito deterring oils.  You can also toss some in the firepit for some fragrant smoke. When I trim the leaves (once a year) they make a lovely natural mulch for the garden. One more use – around the home lemongrass can be used for a fresh clean fragrance in an all natural potpourri. Finally, lemongrass is considered medicinal, but more about the uses will be posted on Savor the Southwest (soon.)

 

Grow Lemongrass 

The four commonly used species of the lemongrass genus are grown in much the same way. From here on out When I say “lemongrass” I am referring to West Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), East Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), and the two species for citronella, Cymbopogon nardus and Cymbopogon winterianus.

All four species grow to tall clumps, 4 to 6 feet tall – and that big around – so you will need some space! That said they are more like three feet tall and around in my soil and with my Darwinistic gardening style.

Lemongrass Starts

If you go to a nursery, you can often find lemongrass or citronella grass in one gallon pots. Heads up – there may be some sticker shock involved! This is because the growers will take the pots into the greenhouse in winter, and heating greenhouses costs money.

Thrifty? Here’s how I got my lemongrass starts. Head over to your local Asian market and hunt in the produce section. There is often a bunch of lemongrass bases being kept moist in a tub of water. Look through them for ones with little roots on the bases – and viola! You have some plants to grow.

I have both Cymbopogon citratus and Cymbopogon flexuosus because I am a plant nerd. When I was making my selection the first time, a kindly Asian lady tried to explain to me that I was buying the “bad” kind. I tried to explain back that it was for the garden not kitchen. Six month later, that same Asian market had lemongrass that smelled much more lemony than the first batch so I had to buy some. They do indeed taste better, less bitter. I assume these are the C. citratus. They are also need more water to not wilt in summer.

Light

Consider where these plants are from! Books (and websites) often say to grow them in “full sun.” Full sun in a tropical climate is nothing at all like our full sun in the Southwest! Not to mention our air with virtually no humidity at all. So no, not full sun all day long.

Lemongrass will grow better if planted where these tropical plants get relief from blazing noonday sun.  They can also be grown in filtered light, or even in shade, like under a palo verde or mesquite tree. Mine are quite happy in mostly shade in the orchard with the citrus trees. The ones in more sun are less happy.

Temperature

In the cooler areas of the Southwest, try planting lemongrass in a warmer microclimate in the yard, say by a warm south facing wall.  (or where they are protected by citrus trees.) Also, if possible plant out of drying wind.

Container

You can also keep your lemongrass in a pot and move it indoors in winter.    These like to get big, so a nice big pot may be required.  Note that they are not poisonous or toxic to household pets – but the sharp edges of the leaves may cut sensitive mouths.  Also I would keep out of reach of toddlers.  In a container, lemongrass is best in “cactus mix.”  It’s a well drained soil mix.

Soil

Like most herbs, lemongrass does best in well drained soil.  One reason why I like to grow this herb is that it normally grows in tropical soils that often have a high clay content. This means that the soils may be alkaline, like our Southwest soils, as well as soils in parts of the Southeastern USA.

I added sand and some pea gravel to my clay soil, and the lemongrass is surviving. Honesty compels me to say that if I had amended the soil with additional compost and perhaps peat moss then perhaps the plants would be more robust. You do know the adage, “The shoemakers children never get new shoes.” Yea, well the corollary is that the garden-writers garden is often a showcase of what not to do.

Water

Grasses need 20 or more inches of rain a year. Since these species come from tropical areas, they do best with more like 30. So yes, they will need water on a regular basis. Mine get irrigated twice a week in summer, unless we get some good soaking monsoon rains.

Fertilizer

Fertilize in moderation to encourage greater production of the fragrant oils.  Since you are growing lemongrass for the leaves, you do not need a bloom fertilizer, but rather one high in nitrogen (the first number of the three on the package). You can use a general purpose or fertilizer for palms or lawns.

Pruning Grasses

Like most herbs, lemongrass should be trimmed two to three times per year to control rampant growth and keep the plant producing quality foliage for culinary use.

In Autumn, I make sure that I do not prune within 60 days of the annual first frost date. I want the plant to have ample loose foliage to protect the heart of the plant from potential freezing.

In Spring, after last frost, is the time to give your lemongrass a good rejuvenation pruning. I call this the “marine buzz cut.” Only do this once a year – when you cut off all the old dead growth and maybe even some of the new growth as well, but trim everything right off and thus you open the center of the plant and allow the light to get in and new growth (culms) to emerge.

All bunch grasses should be pruned this way once per year. Only once! For Cymbopogon, the height is roughly 9 to 12 inches above the ground. Different bunch grasses need different heights. I shall have to go do some bunchgrass pruning and photos and then a post for you all. Or you can buy my Month by Month book, it’s in there. 😉

The cut off blades of grass make excellent mulch under plants – but alas not where your hands will come in contact with it. Remember that one common name is “barbed wire grass.” I personally consider it “razor grass.”

Inspired?

I hope you are! Let me share that this post came in to being because I posted a video about lemongrass on my Tiktok channel, and it got a number of questions from my followers there.

You got gardening questions of your own? Ask them! You may be the inspiration for my next post. I don’t know what you don’t know until you let me know!

Thanks for Reading

Jacqueline

More Care Tips for Bunch Grasses

The Month By Month Guide offers tips for all of your landscape in every month of the year.  I have a few copies left and am offering them to you – my loyal readers. When you buy from me you get a signed copy!

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