Citronella Grass
Cymbopogon nardus
- Native to:
- Angola, Bangladesh, Botswana, Burundi, Cambodia, DR Congo, Eswatini, India, Kenya, Laos, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Myanmar, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam, Zimbabwe
James Steakley
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Cymbopogon
- Species:
- Cymbopogon nardus
- USDA Symbol:
- CYNA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- As a tropical bunchgrass, it resprouts vigorously from the base after fire or cutting.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- native to tropical climates with regular rainfall
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light and warm temperatures (20-25°C) for germination. Fresh seed germinates best.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI