Availability : Out of Stock

Lemon Grass

Proven Selections

Availability : Out of Stock
$26.99
  • Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)
  • Mature Height 2 - 4 Feet
  • Mature Spread 2 - 3 Feet
  • Growing Zones 9 - 11
  • Use As A Thriller In Containers

Lemon Grass is a great edible plant for the ornamental garden. Also known as Cymbopogon citratus, this densely growing, clumping plant is used in many different Southeast Asian cuisines. The lime-colored grassy foliage is broad and has an inviting citrus scent. Both the leaves and the woody stalks are edible with proper preparation and cooking. This culinary herb is also used to make teas and essential oils. 

Native to India and tropical regions of Asia, Lemon Grass grows as a perennial in Zones 8b through 11b. In Zones 8a it may die back to the ground and come back the following year, but in Zones 3-7 you can expect it to behave like an annual, going dormant and eventually dying back. In hot climates where it is commercially grown, Lemon Grass easily reaches 6 feet tall and produces inconspicuous flowers. Plants growing in pots or in the home garden usually reach 3 feet before the first frost in fall. 

As a foliage interest plant with culinary and visual interest, Lemon Grass is the perfect addition to every garden. The brilliantly colored foliage makes a great backdrop in perennial beds and mixed seasonal containers. Because of its upright growth habit, it looks nice in a mixed container as one of the thrillers.  Many people include it in their kitchen gardens.  Lemon Grass is also tolerant of black walnut trees and can be planted en masse around them. 

Lemon Grass Care

Lemon Grass loves long hot humid summers. Plant it out after the danger of the last frost has passed and it will mature in about a 100 days. It prefers full sun with protection from the midday sun and heat, which can burn the tender leaves. Lemon Grass grows best in rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.8 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline). Amend heavy clay soils with aged manure, sand and peat moss to make this annual happy in your landscape. 

Lemon Grass is not as drought tolerant as other ornamental grasses and needs consistent watering all through the growing season. Provide supplemental water if there is less than an inch of natural precipitation a week. Feed with a heavy nitrogen fertilizer once a month if planted in the ground and once a week if in a container. 

Choose planters and pots with excellent drainage when growing Lemon Grass in a container. Select a pot that is 2-3 inches larger than the root ball, and use an all-purpose, peat-free potting mix. Do not use saucers under pots outdoors, as this causes the potting mix to stay saturated and can lead to root rot. 

Lemon Grass will grow inside, so you can have it to use in the winter, as it will not survive in zones colder than 9a. Divide large clumps of Lemon Grass before bringing it indoors. Water plants every 7-10 days through the winter, and make sure they receive 6 hours of direct sunlight or are growing under a dedicated grow light. Plants can be grown outside in the spring after temperatures reliably are above 50 degrees F (10 C). 

Remove leaves and stalks from the outside of the plant as they mature later in the season for cooking. Cut cleanly the stalks with a sterilized knife at the base of the plant, being careful not to disturb the root. Harvest the stalks when the bulbar part of the base has thickened but before the stalks toughen and dry out, losing their flavor. 

Lemon Grass Spacing

Lemon Grass is not a small plant. It can grow to be 4 feet high and 2-3 feet. Space plants 3 feet apart, center to center, when planting in a garden border. This promotes good airflow and allows the plant to show off its elegant fountain shape. Lemon Grass will grow slightly smaller in containers and grows to fit whatever pot it is in. To grow larger plants, size up the pot on a regular basis.  

Lemon Grass Information

USDA Hardiness Zones: 9 - 11
Plant Type:
Light Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)
Mature Height: 2 - 4 Feet
Mature Spread: 2 - 3 Feet
Spacing: 2 - 3 Feet
Habit: Upright
Flower Color(s): None
Flower Description: N/A
Bloom Period: N/A
Foliage Type: Herbaceous
Foliage Color(s): Green
Foliage Description: Green Shades
Seasonal Interest: N/A
Watering: Average
Resists: N/A
Tolerates: Salt
Attracts: N/A
Container Role: Thriller
Uses: Containers, Mass Planting, Sensory Gardens
Features: Foliage Interest
Brand:
Common Name: Lemon Grass
Other Name(s): Lemon Grass
Scientific Name: Cymbopogon citratus
SKU:
CYMLG

Container Sizes

Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

4.5 Pot

4.5" Pot
 Also Known As:
   4.5" Container

 Plant Age:
   ~ 6 months
 Plant Size:
   ~ 3"-6"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
 Volume:
   1.42 quarts

Quart Pot

Quart Pot
 Also Known As:
   Quart

 Plant Age:
   ~ 6 months - 1 year
 Plant Size:
   ~ 4"-8"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
 Volume:
   1.50 quarts

2.5 Quart

2.5 Quart
 Also Known As:
   2.5 Quart Pot

 Plant Age:
   ~ 1 - 2 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 8"-12"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
 Volume:
   2.20-2.30 quarts

#1 Pot

#1 Pot
 Also Known As:
   #1 Container
    1 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 1 - 2 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 10"-14"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 7"H x 7.75"W
 Volume:
   2.26-3.73 quarts

#2 Pot

#2 Pot
 Also Known As:
   #2 Container
    2 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 3 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 12"-18"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
 Volume:
   1.19-1.76 gallons

#3 Pot

#3 Pot
 Also Known As:
   #3 Container
    3 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 2 - 4 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 12"-30"
 Pot Size:
   ~9.5"H x 11"W
 Volume:
   2.32-2.76 gallons


For more detailed information, please click here.

Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)

Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly. 

For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)

We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.

The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.

For more information, please click on our page below.

Guarantee and Warranty

Plant Shipping

Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.

Winter to Early Spring

We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.

Summer

If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.

Fall into Winter

We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!

Winter

Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!

Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information. 

Click here for more detailed shipping information.

Planter Shipping

Standard Colors: 2-3 business days

Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice

Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations