Lemongrass
Cymbopogon citratus
Lemongrass is a vigorous perennial herb that flourishes in warm subtropical gardens, producing fragrant stems and foliage for cooking and teas. It grows rapidly in full sun and forms productive clumps that can be harvested repeatedly.
Overview
At a Glance
Peak Planting Window
September to March
Seasonal Role
Perennial aromatic grass
Difficulty
Easy
Planting Method
Seed, division or nursery plant
First Harvest
3–4 months
Sun
Full sun
Water
Moderate
Heat Tolerance
Very High
Humidity Tolerance
Very High
Family
Poaceae
Category
Herb
Planting Calendar
Monthly Planting Guide
Month-by-month suitability for coastal subtropical Australia.
Rationale
Why This Planting Window
Lemongrass thrives in warm, humid conditions and establishes quickly once soil temperatures rise. Planting through spring and summer promotes rapid clump development and abundant aromatic growth before cooler weather slows production.
Reference
Growing Information
Lifecycle
Perennial grass
Ideal Soil Temperature
20–30°C
Germination
14–28 days
Transplant Ready
6–8 weeks
Soil
Fertile, well-drained soil enriched with mature compost
Soil pH
6.0–7.5
Plant Spacing
60–90 cm
Row Spacing
90–120 cm
Frost Tolerance
Low
In the garden
Plant Care
Feeding
Prepare the soil with mature compost and apply a balanced feed several times during the warm growing season to maintain vigorous leafy growth.
Watering Guidance
Water deeply during establishment and prolonged dry periods. Mature clumps tolerate short dry spells but produce the best stems and foliage with regular moisture.
Companion Plants
Avoid Nearby
- None significant
Watch out for
Problems & Prevention
Common Pests
Aphids, rust mites, armyworms, grasshoppers and snails.
Common Diseases
Rust, leaf blight and root rot.
Common Mistakes
Planting in shade, allowing clumps to become overcrowded, failing to divide old plants, poor drainage and cutting into the central growing point.
Picking
Harvest
First Harvest
3–4 months
Harvest Window
Harvest stems as required
Harvest Indicators
Harvest outer stems once plants are well established and approximately 60–80 cm tall. Cut stems close to ground level while leaving the centre of the clump intact.
Standard
SGGS Details
Subtropical Gardener Growing Standard — profile metadata.
- SGGS Code
- HER006
- Version
- 1
- Confidence
- High
- Seasonal Role
- Perennial aromatic grass
- Crop Champion Month
- October
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