How to Care for Cymbopogon citratus (Lemongrass)

Korean name: 레몬그라스

This tropical herb has long leaves with a lemon scent. It is widely used in Thai cooking and herbal tea, and also has mosquito-repelling effects.

Key facts

Care Guide

Detailed care guide

Lemongrass is an herb with long, lemon-scented leaves that's easy to grow indoors. Its fresh leaves can also be used in cooking or herbal tea.

Watering

Water so the soil stays slightly moist. Too much water can turn the leaves yellow and mushy, while too little can brown the leaf tips. Roughly once every 5 days is a good guideline.

Light

It needs a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sun a day. If light is lacking, the stems can grow leggy, so the sunniest windowsill you have is recommended.

Humidity

It likes high humidity, so in dry indoor air the leaves can start drying out from the tip. Misting often or using a humidifier helps.

Temperature

Keep it in a warm range of 20–30°C. If it gets cold, growth slows or the leaves can be damaged, so be careful.

A common first-timer mistake

It's important to water before the soil fully dries out. Leaving it dry too long can easily brown the leaf tips, so don't miss your watering interval.

If you have pets

Lemongrass can cause mild symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea if pets eat it. It's safest to keep it somewhere pets can't chew on it.

Through the Seasons

In spring and summer, plenty of sun and warm temperatures make lemongrass grow quickly. During this time, feeding it a nitrogen fertilizer once a month keeps it healthy. In fall and winter, sunlight and temperature both drop, so cut back on watering and fertilizer and keep it somewhere it gets long hours of light. When temperatures drop a lot, it's best kept indoors.

Common Problems and Fixes

Overwatering easily turns the leaves yellow and mushy. On the other hand, if the soil gets too dry, the leaf tips can turn brown, so check the soil often. If light is lacking, the stems grow leggy and the leaf color fades — if it seems to be short on light, move it. When humidity is low, mist often to keep the leaves from drying out.

Repotting and Propagation

Lemongrass develops a strong root system, so it may need repotting. Since it grows fast, once the roots fill the pot, shake off the old soil and repot into fresh, well-draining soil. Propagation is easy by dividing established clumps and replanting them. After repotting or propagating, water thoroughly and keep it in a sunny spot.

Who It's Good For

Lemongrass suits anyone with a sunny indoor spot who can keep up a bit with watering and misting. It's a great fit for anyone who loves lemon scent or wants to grow and use their own herbs. It's relatively easy to care for, so it also suits beginners trying plant care for the first time. With consistent care, you can harvest fresh herbs for all kinds of uses.

Written by AI from the care facts in this entry. Treat it as a starting point.

Common questions

How often should you water Cymbopogon citratus?

Keep the soil slightly moist. Roughly every 5 days is the baseline; adjust for the season and the spot it sits in.

Where should you keep Cymbopogon citratus?

It likes Needs more than 6 hours of direct sunlight.. You can grow it indoors. Use Fertile and well-draining soil.

Is Cymbopogon citratus safe around pets?

Mildly toxic, so keep pets from chewing on it.

Is Cymbopogon citratus good for beginners?

Difficulty: Easy. It is forgiving enough for a first plant. Keep it around 20~30°C. Humidity: High humidity. Fertilise Once a month with nitrogen fertilizer during the growing season.