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Cymbopogon citratus (Lemon grass)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Cymbopogon citratus
Other names
Lemon grass, Serai, Squinant
Genus
Cymbopogon Cymbopogon
Species
C. citratus - C. citratus is a tender, densely tufted, clump-forming, evergreen perennial grass, often grown as an annual, with hollow, cane-like stems bearing arching or erect, linear, lemon-scented, light blue-green leaves. Loose, branching flower panicles in late summer and early autumn are rarely produced.
Cymbopogon citratus is: Evergreen
Fragrance
Fresh citrus fragrance
Habit
Clump-forming
Foliage
Blue-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Remove faded or dead foliage in summer
Propagation
Sow seed at 13-18C in spring.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Cymbopogon citratus (Lemon grass) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Flavouring food and drinks, Foliage only, Greenhouse
Cultivation
Best grown in warm, humid climates in sun in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Outside tropical areas, requires a protected, sunny position to grow - such as a conservatory or greenhouse. Water well. Protect over winter.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Indoor unheated (H2)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Cymbopogon citratus
Other names
Lemon grass, Serai, Squinant
Genus
Cymbopogon Cymbopogon
Species
C. citratus - C. citratus is a tender, densely tufted, clump-forming, evergreen perennial grass, often grown as an annual, with hollow, cane-like stems bearing arching or erect, linear, lemon-scented, light blue-green leaves. Loose, branching flower panicles in late summer and early autumn are rarely produced.
Foliage
Evergreen
Fragrance
Fresh citrus fragrance
Habit
Clump-forming
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Colour
Foliage
Blue-green in All seasons
General care
Pruning
Remove faded or dead foliage in summer
Propagation
Sow seed at 13-18C in spring.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Cymbopogon citratus (Lemon grass) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Flavouring food and drinks, Foliage only, Greenhouse
Cultivation
Best grown in warm, humid climates in sun in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Outside tropical areas, requires a protected, sunny position to grow - such as a conservatory or greenhouse. Water well. Protect over winter.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Indoor unheated (H2)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Indoor unheated (H2) | Tell us... |
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