Transform your garden into a tropical haven with lemongrass!
Growing lemongrass is easy — just plant divisions or stem cuttings in rich, well-draining soil and give it plenty of sun.
Once you’ve grown lemongrass, you’ll never need to buy it again because it’s easy to propagate.
This guide will teach you everything about growing lemongrass in Australia.
Let’s get your garden brimming with lemony goodness!
When to Plant | Growing Conditions | Where to Plant | How to Grow | Care Tips | Propagating | Harvesting | Common Problems
All About Lemongrass
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a hardy, tropical grass native to Asia and tropical Australia.
It thrives in most of Australia but needs protection from frost in colder regions.
The plant grows tall, arching green leaves up to 1.5m and spreads into bushy clumps.
Be careful though — its leaves have sharp edges!
When crushed, lemongrass releases a fragrant lemony scent.
Its citrus flavour adds a distinct taste to Asian dishes like curries, soups, and stir-fries.
It can also be used to stuff meats or brew lemongrass tea.
Lemongrass stalks pack the strongest flavour, while the green leaves are subtler.
Beyond cooking, lemongrass has been used as a traditional medicine to help with digestion, fever, and pain.
Lemongrass essential oil is also popular for candles, scent diffusers, and as an insect repellent.
Common lemongrass varieties
There are two common varieties of lemongrass.
West Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is the most commonly grown variety and the one you’ll want for cooking.
It’s super easy to grow in warm, sunny climates like Australia.
East Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) has purple-tinged stems and a stronger lemony scent. It’s often used for essential oils and herbal remedies.
Australian lemongrass
If you want to grow lemongrass at home, you can go for any of the common varieties listed above.
However, we do have our very own Australian lemongrass called the Cymbopogon ambiguus.
You’ll find it almost anywhere in Australia except for the cool temperate regions.
Indigenous Australians have long used it to ease colds and coughs.
Australian lemongrass has a more delicate and less tangy flavour than West Indian lemongrass.
While the latter suits rich, complex Asian recipes (think Thai curries!), Australian lemongrass is an all-rounder that works in both savoury dishes and sweet treats.
When to Plant Lemongrass in Australia
The best time to plant lemongrass in Australia is early spring to mid-summer.
But don’t worry — lemongrass is resilient so you can plant it year-round, especially if you live in a warm region.
For the colder parts of Australia, avoid planting lemongrass during winter.
Lemongrass Growing Conditions
Lemongrass thrives in these conditions:
- A warm climate
- Full sun to partial shade
- Rich, well-drained soil that’s slightly acidic
Climate
Lemongrass is a tropical plant, so it loves a warm climate. Hot, wet summers and mild, dry winters are best.
In Australia, lemongrass does best in tropical, subtropical, and arid regions.
However, it can grow almost everywhere — even as far south as Melbourne!
In cold climates, it’s better to grow lemongrass in pots. You can move the plants indoors during winter to protect them from frost.
Light
Lemongrass thrives best in full sun. Ideally, give it 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.
You can also grow lemongrass in part shade so long as it gets direct sunlight for at least half the day.
Soil
Grow lemongrass in rich, well-drained soil high in nitrogen.
It prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0-7.5 but can tolerate a pH range of 5.0-8.4.
Before planting, improve the soil with compost or well-rotted manure.
If you’re growing lemongrass in pots, use a quality potting mix.
Where To Plant Lemongrass
You can plant lemongrass in garden beds or pots.
Garden beds give lemongrass plenty of space to spread, but you’ll need to prune regularly to keep it from overgrowing.
In pots, you can control its size and prevent spreading.
Planting lemongrass in pots is also great for colder regions like New South Wales and Victoria — you can move the plants indoors during winter.
Just remember, potted soil dries up and loses nutrients faster, so you’ll need to water and fertilise your lemongrass plants more often.
How to Grow Lemongrass
Lemongrass is best grown from plant divisions (the easiest way!) or stalks.
When planting lemongrass, remember to:
- Plant cuttings 10-15cm deep
- Space them at least 50cm apart
- Keep the soil moist as they’re growing
Lemongrass also grows from seeds, but it’s a much slower process and doesn’t always work.
If you want to skip all the effort, you can hire a home gardening expert near you for sweat-free planting!
Growing lemongrass from plant divisions
The easiest and quickest way to grow lemongrass is from plant divisions.
If you have a friend with lemongrass, ask them for a clump with 2-3 healthy shoots and roots. You can also grab one from your local nursery.
Dig a hole about 10-15cm deep and just slightly bigger than the bulbous root.
Place the lemongrass cutting into the hole, gently spread the roots, and backfill with soil.
Press the soil firmly around the base of the plant, then water well to help the roots take hold.
Growing lemongrass from stalks
Buy firm and healthy lemongrass stalks from a local plant shop. Even supermarket ones work, too!
Wash the base of the stalk. Trim the leaves to about one-third of their length to help the plant focus on growing roots.
Next, place the bottom 5cm of the stalk in a glass of clean water. Set it somewhere with bright, indirect light.
Change the water regularly to prevent bacterial growth. Within 2-4 weeks, your lemongrass stalk will start to grow roots.
Once rooted, plant the stalk in your garden or pot and water thoroughly.
Growing lemongrass from seeds
Growing lemongrass from seeds is tricky. They have tough coats that can block water and oxygen.
Some lemongrass seeds may also lack the necessary structures to germinate.
If you’re up for a challenge, here’s how to grow lemongrass from seeds.
First, lightly nick the seed coat. Soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours to soften their hard coat.
Sow the seeds in trays with well-draining starter soil and water them in.
Germination may take several weeks or months, so keep the soil moist and warm — and stay patient!
Once the seedlings are sturdy, transfer them to small pots and let them grow to 15-20cm tall.
Finally, plant them in your garden or larger pots.
Caring for Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a low-maintenance plant that’s easy to care for. Just keep the weeds at bay and follow these care tips!
Watering lemongrass
Lemongrass is pretty drought-tolerant but still needs water to thrive.
Water the plant when the soil has fully dried out to prevent root rot.
Also, water more often if the soil dries out quickly — particularly for potted lemongrass or in arid regions like Western Australia.
Fertilising lemongrass
During the growing season, use a balanced, slow-release fertiliser with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
You can also feed your lemongrass with organic liquid plant food every few weeks.
Pruning lemongrass
Prune lemongrass regularly by removing dead or yellowing leaves throughout the growing season.
In winter when lemongrass is dormant, trim its leaves by half to encourage new growth.
How to Propagate Lemongrass
You can propagate lemongrass by dividing established clumps or rooting stalks in water.
Dividing lemongrass clumps
Dividing lemongrass clumps is the fastest way to propagate it!
To divide an established lemongrass clump, water it deeply a day or two beforehand to soften the soil.
Use a shovel to lift the entire clump, then separate it with a sharp knife.
Each division should have healthy roots and 2-3 shoots. Afterwards, you can plant them as usual.
Rooting lemongrass stalks in water
Choose healthy lemongrass stalks, then trim the leaves by about two-thirds.
Next, soak the bottom 5cm of the stalk in a glass of clean water.
Put it in a spot that gets indirect sunlight, and change the water every few days.
Roots will grow from the bottom of the stalk in 2-4 weeks — then you can plant!
How to Harvest Lemongrass
You can harvest lemongrass at just about any time throughout the growing season.
However, most gardeners wait to pick lemongrass until it’s about 30cm tall and the base is 2cm thick.
To harvest lemongrass without killing the plant, cut the stalk at ground level. Leave a few centimetres to let it regrow.
It should be ready to harvest again after 2-3 months.
Another option is to uproot the entire lemongrass stalk with a shovel.
Wash the base and use it for cooking. The leaves can also be used in some recipes or to brew lemongrass tea.
Common Problems of Lemongrass Plants
Lemongrass plants are tough, but they can run into a few issues. Here’s how to spot and fix them.
Fungal diseases
Fungal diseases like powdery mildew and rust can develop if you water lemongrass from above or if it rains too much.
Powdery mildew appears as a white or grey coating, while rust shows as orange or brown bumps.
To prevent fungal diseases on your lemongrass, prune it regularly for better air circulation and water only at the base.
Nutrient deficiency
Pale green or yellowing leaves on your lemongrass may indicate a nitrogen deficiency.
Stunted growth could signal a lack of phosphorus, and weak stems often mean a potassium shortage.
Feed your lemongrass plants with a balanced fertiliser every few weeks to keep them healthy.
Pests
Luckily, lemongrass’s scent deters some pests, but aphids, scales, or spider mites can still appear.
Prune any heavily infested parts, then mix half a tablespoon of neem oil with 1L of water and a few drops of dish soap.
Spray the lemongrass leaves with your neem oil solution, focusing on the undersides. Repeat weekly until the pests are gone.
Root rot
Drooping or yellowing leaves could be signs of root rot, which is a common issue with lemongrass.
If this happens, check the roots — rotting roots will be dark (brown or black), mushy, and smelly.
Cut off all the affected roots, then spray the remaining roots lightly with 3% hydrogen peroxide.
Wait a few hours to let the roots callous, then replant in fresh soil.
Avoid reusing the old soil, as it may still carry the fungus causing root rot.
To prevent future issues, reduce watering and make sure that the soil drains properly.
FAQs
Got more questions about growing lemongrass? Find the answers below!
What is the lifespan of a lemongrass plant?
Lemongrass plants are perennials — they can live for up to 4 years under ideal conditions.
The plant can regrow from cut stalks, but it won’t be able to do this forever!
Does lemongrass spread quickly?
Yes, lemongrass spreads quickly. In just one year, it can grow 60-70cm wide and up to 1.5m tall!
You can grow lemongrass in pots or divide established clumps every 1-2 years to prevent it from spreading too much.
How fast does lemongrass grow?
Lemongrass grows fast! If you’re growing lemongrass from a plant division or a stalk, it’ll be ready to harvest in around 2 months.
Growing lemongrass from seeds takes longer, about 3-4 months or more.
What can you plant with lemongrass?
Lemongrass companion plants include herbs like basil, coriander, and thyme.
You can also grow lemongrass with marigolds!
What should you not plant with lemongrass?
Don’t plant brassicas (like cabbage and broccoli) and fennel with lemongrass as they’ll compete for nutrients.
Are lemongrass plants safe for pets?
No, lemongrass can be toxic to cats and dogs.
If they consume too much, it can lead to an upset stomach and cyanide poisoning in severe cases.
Keep lemongrass away from pets to prevent accidental ingestion!
Does a lemongrass plant repel mosquitoes?
The scent of a lemongrass plant itself may not be strong enough to repel mosquitoes.
However, lemongrass essential oil is much more potent.
It contains a higher concentration of citronella, which is an effective mosquito repellent.
You can diffuse lemongrass essential oil in mosquito-prone areas, or dilute it with a carrier oil and apply it to your skin.