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Herb

Lemongrass

Cymbopogon citratus

A tropical clumping grass whose lemony stem bases are used in Asian cooking. It grows strongly in Adelaide's summer but slows and can brown off in cold winters, so plant in a warm, sunny spot or a large pot. Plant in spring and water well in hot weather.

When to plant where you live

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Planting times for other areas

Varieties (2)

  • East Indian lemongrass (C. flexuosus)Thinner stems, stronger scent; more often used for tea and oil
  • West Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)The culinary type with thick stem bases; sold in most nurseries

Neighbours

Grows well with

From seed to plate

  1. Plant

    60 cm apart. Full sun.

  2. Water

    Regular in summer.

  3. Feed

    Nitrogen feed in spring.

  4. Pick, from about 9 weeks

    Cut thick stems at the base.

Good to know

  • Start a plant from supermarket stems by standing them in water until roots form
  • Harvest by twisting off whole outer stems at the base
  • Wear gloves; the leaf edges are sharp

Common problems

  • Winter browningcut back dead leaves in spring; protect from frost in cold suburbs
  • Rust (orange streaks)remove affected leaves, improve airflow
  • Crowded clump with thin stemsdivide in spring and replant the healthiest pieces

If you use a garden chemical, follow the label exactly. Try organic options first, and ask the community or Plant Doctor if you're unsure.

Ask the garden helper about lemongrassAny question, answered from the plant libraryHow others are growing lemongrassQuestions, tips and harvests from the community

Safety: ASPCA lists lemongrass as toxic to dogs, cats and horses; stomach upset in dogs and cats.

Where this information comes from

Reviewed by AI cross-check (Claude), not a horticulturist on 27 Oct 2026. Version 2.