West Indian Lemongrass

West Indian Lemongrass is an incredible tropical plant with the fresh fragrance of lemons! Perfect for landscaping or container gardening. Use as a festive centerpiece or for garden walkways and borders - all while keeping mosquitoes and flies at bay! This herb is an essential ingredient in countless global cuisines, from Thai curries to Caribbean stews, infusing dishes with a bright, citrusy flavor that elevates every bite. Beyond its culinary appeal, West Indian Lemongrass is perfect for crafting herbal teas, refreshing drinks, and soothing homemade remedies. Once grown, the maroon-hued stems and leaves can be used as aromatics to flavor broths, curries, and marinades. Cut the leaves to make calming tea or extract the oils for soaps and other therapeutic properties. The plant's hardy nature and quick growth make it a low-maintenance choice for gardeners, and it can even be grown in containers for those with limited space.

Also Known As: Lemon Grass, Cymbopogon, Barbed Wire Grass, Silky Heads, Oily Heads, Cochin Grass, Malabar Grass, Citronella Grass, Fever Grass.

Plant Name:	Lemongrass, West Indian
Latin Name:	Cymbopogon citratus
Days to Germinate:	10-28
Days to Harvest:	100
Plant Height:	3 - 5 feet
Spread:	2 - 3 Feet
Growth Habit:	Upright
USDA Zones:	8-11
Lifespan:	Annual, Perennial 10-12
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 2 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Planting:

Starting Indoors: For an earlier Lemongrass harvest, you may optionally start planting indoors in containers 8-10 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring, keeping seedlings at least 65F. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 70F and plants are less than 6 inches tall. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing Lemongrass outdoors, plant in late spring when the soil warms to at least 70F. For fall planting, plant in containers and prepare to bring indoors, or prepare to dig up stalks to pot them, to protect plants from the winter cold.

To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 12-18 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole. If choosing to thin to the strongest plant, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/4 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	12-18 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	2-3 feet

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2-3 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 2-4 weeks after planting, you may optionally apply 2 tablespoons of a complete fertilizer around each hole, or 1-2 pounds per 100 square feet, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Lemongrass stalks are best harvested when they are 12-18 inches tall and have a healthy, vibrant green color. The best time to harvest is just before the plant begins flowering, typically in late summer to early fall. Harvest leaves as soon as plants grow 12" or taller. For stems in culinary use, cut stalks close to the ground when at least 1/4" thick. Using a sharp knife or scissors, cut the outer stalks at the base, leaving the inner stalks to continue growing. You can harvest a few stalks at a time, ensuring you leave enough for the plant to keep growing.