When can I plant lemongrass outside?

Direct sow or transplant 3 weeks after your last spring frost.

How long until lemongrass is ready to harvest?

75-100 days. Cut stalks at ground level when 12+ inches tall and 1/2 inch thick at base; peel outer layers to use tender core

Lawn Guardian

When to Plant Lemongrass

Cymbopogon citratus

herbZones 9–12intermediate

Tall, fragrant grass essential in Thai and Vietnamese cooking. Forms dense clumps of citrus-scented stalks. Tropical plant that can overwinter indoors in cold climates.

Planting calendar

Direct sow / transplant

3 weeks after your last spring frost.

Grow as annual in zones below 9; start from store-bought stalks rooted in water; bring pots indoors before frost

Spacing & harvest

Plant spacing: 24-36 inches
Row spacing: 24-36 inches
Days to harvest: 75-100 days
Ready when: Cut stalks at ground level when 12+ inches tall and 1/2 inch thick at base; peel outer layers to use tender core

Companion planting

Plant near

Tomato — Citrus scent deters whiteflies

Get lemongrass planting dates for your exact zone

Lawn Guardian turns this guidance into a schedule timed to your USDA zone and this week's actual weather — and adapts every time you log what you've done.

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Sources: Purdue University Turfgrass Science: Use Growing Degree Days to Better Time Your Applications · University of Missouri Extension: Cool-Season Grasses: Lawn Maintenance Calendar · University of Minnesota Extension: Pre-emergent Herbicides for Crabgrass Control in Lawns