Plant Care Guide

Lemongrass

Cymbopogon citratus

Fresh, lemony fragrance plus sleek, arching foliage—lemongrass pulls double duty as an edible herb and a handsome ornamental. With steady sun, consistent moisture, and light, regular feeding, it bulks up fast and gives you harvest-ready stalks for months. If you’ve wondered how to care for lemongrass so it thrives in beds or containers, this guide breaks down everyday lemongrass plant care with simple, repeatable steps.

Watering Requirements

Strong, tender stalks come from even moisture; big swings from dry to soggy stress plants and toughen flavor. Keep soil lightly but consistently moist, especially in heat and containers.

Watering Schedule

  • Spring/Summer (active growth): Water when the top 1" is dry—typically 2–3×/week in ground; daily or every other day in hot, windy weather for pots.
  • Fall (slowing growth): Water when top 1–2" are dry—about 1–2×/week.
  • Winter (indoors/dormant pots): Barely moist; water every 10–14 days to keep roots from desiccating.

Signs of Overwatering

  • Sour smell, limp clump, yellowing from the base with wet, heavy soil

Signs of Underwatering

  • Leaf tips razor-dry and curling; clump stalls, outer leaves shred in wind

Pro Tips

A 1–2" mulch ring (kept 1" off stems) evens moisture and reduces how often you’ll water—clutch for container lemongrass care in summer.

Light Requirements

Oil-rich, flavorful stalks are sun-powered, so more light means more growth and better harvests. Give lemongrass a true full-sun spot for at least 6 hours daily.

Ideal Placement

  • Outdoors: Full sun all day; choose a wind-sheltered site so blades don’t crease.
  • Indoors (overwintering): Bright south or west window; supplement with a grow light if days are short.

Too Much Light/Heat

  • Pot bakes, medium dries within hours—water frequency must rise in heat waves

Too Little Light

  • Sparse, floppy growth; thin, under-flavored stalks; pest pressure increases

Pro Tips

Rotate containers weekly so all sides get equal sun and the clump stays upright rather than leaning.

Soil and Potting

Roots want air and steady moisture together; a loose, fertile, well-drained mix delivers both. Poor drainage slows growth and invites rot.

Best Soil Mix (containers)

  • 2 parts high-quality potting mix
  • 1 part compost
  • 1 part perlite or pumice (drainage/aeration)

Beds & Borders

  • Work in 2–3" of compost before planting; avoid tight clay or fix with compost + coarse sand.
  • Plant bulbs so the swollen base sits just at soil level.

Container Tips

  • Start with a 12–14" wide, heavy pot (or 5-gallon) with big drainage holes.
  • Repot each spring with fresh mix or split the clump to prevent bursting pots.

Pro Tips

Space plants 24–36" apart in beds—healthy clumps can reach 3–5' tall and wide with good care of lemongrass plant routines.

Fertilizing

This fast grower is a nitrogen lover; steady, modest feeding keeps leaves lush and stalks plump. Overfeeding salts the mix and can burn tips.

Fertilizer Schedule

  • At Planting/Early Spring: Mix a slow-release, nitrogen-forward fertilizer into soil.
  • Peak Season (late spring–summer): Feed every 2–3 weeks with a balanced or N-leaning liquid at ½ strength.
  • Fall/Winter: Pause feeding for dormant indoor plants.

Deficiency Clues

  • Pale leaves, slow rebound after cutting → needs nitrogen
  • Burnt tips, crusty soil → salts building; flush with plain water

Pro Tips

Alternate liquid feeds with a compost tea or fish/seaweed drench to boost microbes and flavor without salt buildup.

Pruning and Maintenance

Regular grooming keeps the clump tidy, stimulates fresh blades, and prevents wind tatter. Clean cuts also reduce hiding spots for pests.

Pruning Guidelines

  • Shear back to ~6–8" in late winter/very early spring to reset the clump.
  • Strip dead outer leaves as they brown; snip torn tips at a slight angle.

Dividing/Controlling Size

  • In spring, slice the clump like a pie with a sharp spade; pot or replant divisions 24" apart.

Pro Tips

Wear gloves—leaf margins can be surprisingly sharp.

Common Problems and Solutions

Most hiccups trace back to water/light imbalances; balance those first.

  • Rusty streaks/spots on leaves

    Cause: Overhead watering/humidity on foliage

    Fix: Water at soil level; increase airflow; remove worst leaves
  • Spider mites (indoors, dry air)

    Cause: Low humidity, dusty leaves

    Fix: Rinse foliage, raise RH, use horticultural oil/neem weekly until clear
  • Floppy, sparse clump

    Cause: Shade, lean soil, cramped pot

    Fix: Full sun, feed lightly, upsize/divide

Pro Tips

Mulch (kept off stems) plus drip or soaker watering drastically cuts disease risk and supports steady growth—core to dependable lemongrass care.