How to grow Lemongrass

Cymbopogon citratus

🌿 Herb 🔁 Perennial

Tall, lemon-scented grass for Thai and Vietnamese cooking and tea. Grow it in a pot — outside in summer, on a sunny windowsill in winter.

At a glance: Sow early February to mid March, harvest from mid May.

When to sow, plant and harvest

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Sow indoors

Plant

Harvest

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

Early February – mid March · 10 weeks before the last spring frost
Sow Seeds Indoors
Sow in modules or small pots of seed compost in small pots on a bright windowsill. Or root shop-bought stalks in a glass of water.
7–21 days after “Sow Seeds Indoors” · Mid February – late February
Check Germination
Seedlings should appear in 7–21 days. Keep the compost moist. If sown outdoors, thin to One per 30 cm pot apart.
14–21 days after “Check Germination” · Late February – early March
Pot On Seedlings
Move small clumps of seedlings into 9 cm pots (herbs are happy grown in little clumps).
Early May · 3 weeks after the last spring frost
Harden Off
Stand plants outside by day for a week before planting out.
Mid May – mid June · 4 weeks after the last spring frost
Plant Out
Plant One per 30 cm pot apart in a sunny bed or a pot near the kitchen door. Water in.
79–100 days after “Check Germination” · Mid May – early June
Start Harvesting
Cut stems at the base when they are at least 1 cm thick.

June
Move Outside
Put the pot out on a sunny patio once nights are warm.
September
Bring Indoors
Bring the pot indoors before the frost and water sparingly in winter.