Cymbopogon

cymbopogon

( sim - boh - POH - gon )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly known as Lemon Grass, this species of perennial grass needs full sun and regular water to perform well. These plants are native to India, and are widely used in Asian cooking. Lemon Grass forms a clump of inch-wide leaves 3-4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. These plants are easily planted from divisions, which is a good thing because they usually cannot survive winter temperatures outdoors.

Cymbopogon Species and Varietals

The genus Cymbopogon includes 52 species and is a member of the plant family Poaceae. They grow best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 12, 13, 16, 17, 23, 24, H1 and H2, though this varies somewhat depending on the species cultivated. For more information, consult the species descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Cymbopogon ambiguus (Australian Lemon-Scented Grass, Native Lemongrass)
This species has fragrant, blue-green to greyish foliage and produces fluffy seed heads. It is self-fertile. Individual plants reach up to 1-6 feet tall and half as wide at maturity. They do well in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11, and thrive in tropical, warm-temperate, and subtropical regions.

Cymbopogon citratus (Andropogon citratus) (West Indian Lemon Grass, Lemon Grass, Sera, Takhrai, Citronella Grass, Serai, Squinant)
This species is native to South and Southeast Asia, and is an introduced plant in many tropical regions around the globe. It is often sold in stem form, and is not frost-hardy. Leaves are blue-green and between 18 and 36 inches long. Leaves are used in cooking and can also be dried and made into tea, and stems are also used in various dishes. This species is considered invasive in tropical and subtropical regions such as Mexico and the Island of St. Lucia.

Cymbopogon martinii (Palmarosa, Palm Rose, Indian Geranium, Gingergrass, Rosha, Rosha Grass)
This species is native to India and Indochina. It is the source of the essential oil Palmarosa, which is valued for its scent and use in traditional medicine. The oil has a similar scent to that of Roses, and is added to soaps and cosmetics. Plants reach up to 4-10 feet tall at maturity.

Cymbopogon schoenanthus (Camel Grass, Camel's Hay, Straw of Mecca, Fever Grass, Geranium Grass, West Indian Lemon Grass)
This species is native to Southern Asia and Northern Africa, and has very fragrant foliage. It is often made into an herbal tea, and is also used as a tonic and fragrance additive in cosmetics and personal care items.

Caring for cymbopogon

Install Lemongrasses 2-3 feet apart for best coverage and airflow. Plant in full sun; ideally, they like to receive between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day for best growth rate and color. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.5 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these grasses prefer consistently moist soils, especially during times of dry, hot weather. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top two inches of soil feels dry to the touch.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. These plants will re-seed freely in the garden; to discourage this, make sure to remove flower spikes before they set and release seed. Volunteer seedlings are easily pulled from areas where they are unwanted, and can be transplanted elsewhere or composted.

Harvesting Cymbopogon
To harvest your Lemon Grass plants, cut off the the thick, bulbous stems just above ground level. Only the bottom third of what is harvested is actually used. Cut off the upper two-thirds of the stems and discard them, as they are too tough to eat. Peel off the outer sheath of what is left, and finely slice or pound to add to salads and soups or to add to cooked dishes. Leaves can be harvested on a cut-and-come-again basis and used fresh or be dried and turned into tea.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Cymbopobon plants are best propagated via division. These plants will also re-seed freely in the landscape, providing seedlings that can be dug up and transplanted elsewhere. To propagate your Lemongrass by division of existing plants, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Cymbopogon by Division
To propagate via division, you will need a clean shovel, clean pruning saw (optional), extra pots if you are not going to immediately plant your divisions in the ground, and well-draining soil to fill the pots. To propagate your Lemongrass by division, follow the instructions below:

In fall, identify the area of plants you're going to divide. Start by loosening the soil around the plant with your shovel, working your way inward to avoid causing damage to the bulbs. Once you've gotten your clump out of the ground, run water over it or simply shake it to remove excess dirt. Then, lay it out on its side.
Separate the clump into multiple pieces, each with a healthy root system and adequate above-ground growth.
Prepare the planting area, whether it is a container or bed in the garden, and then plant the divisions. Afterwards, resume regular care.

Problems and Pests

Certain Cymbopogon species are considered invasive in tropical areas of the globe; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Cymbopogon, or Lemongrass, is susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape: