Lemon Grass
Cymbopogon citratus
- Native to:
- India, Sri Lanka
Nativeplants garden
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Cymbopogon
- Species:
- Cymbopogon citratus
- USDA Symbol:
- CYCI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Mexican rice borer (Eoreuma loftini), Striped rice borer (Chilo suppressalis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the base after burning or cutting, typical of tropical bunchgrasses.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained sandy loam
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- native to tropical regions, prefers warm climates
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require warm temperatures (20-25°C) and light for best germination. Often propagated vegetatively by division.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI