How to Grow Lemongrass

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Learning how to grow lemongrass depends mostly on your climate. Three university sources describe it the same way: a tropical grass that needs warmth, moisture and full sun, and that many gardeners in cooler places grow in pots and move indoors before frost. Utah State University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension and the University of Guam Land Grant program cover the basics, from soil and planting to harvest and storage. This guide sets out what each says and where they differ on spacing, watering and overwintering.

Quick answer

Give it full sun, warmth and moisture. Utah State says lemongrass “requires warm, humid conditions, full sunlight and plenty of moisture.”
Start from a division or a rooted stalk. Utah State says “Lemongrass is rarely grown from seed.”
In cold areas, grow it in a pot and bring it in before the first frost, since frost “will kill or severely damage the plants,” according to Wisconsin.

Give it warmth, sun and steady moisture

Utah State describes the herb as tender and says it is commonly grown as an annual in cooler areas of Utah. It recommends planting after the last frost, or growing it in a pot and moving it outdoors once spring temperatures warm. The University of Guam says lemongrass grows best in warm or tropical regions, with full sun preferred but light shade tolerated. Once established, it is “very low-maintenance in Guam’s climate.”

Water needs are described differently. Wisconsin says lemongrass “requires a great deal of water, so water regularly if rainfall is sparse.” The University of Guam’s culture summary rates water needs as moderate. Utah State says it is native to tropical climates, so it prefers regular rainfall and more humid conditions, and that Utah’s dry air means it should be misted and regularly watered. Read the local rainfall and humidity before you set a watering schedule.

Frost is the limit in cooler places. Wisconsin says lemongrass can be grown as an annual in cooler climates. It adds that frost “will kill or severely damage the plants,” so the clump should be harvested or dug before overnight temperatures reach freezing.

Choose soil that drains and holds organic matter

Utah State says lemongrass “prefers well-drained, moist, rich loam soil with high organic content.” It can tolerate poor soil if it gets adequate moisture and good drainage, but “Water logged soils should be avoided.” The University of Guam says the plant “likes well-drained soils free of pathogens,” and it gives a soil pH range of 5.0 to 5.8 in its culture summary.

Utah State recommends a soil test before planting, and then working the fertilizer into the top 6 inches of soil. If you use compost, it advises no more than 1 inch of well-composted organic matter per 100 square feet of garden area. If you need more organic matter first, see our compost pile guide. For the soil volume a bed or pot needs, see our raised bed soil guide.

Choose a starting method

Utah State tells growers to divide last year’s clumps or buy starter plants from local nurseries, and it says lemongrass is rarely grown from seed. Wisconsin agrees that seed is unreliable: “Lemongrass seed typically germinates poorly, as many seeds are infertile.” Wisconsin also notes that the plant can be propagated by division.

Grocery stalks are a third option. Utah State says fresh stalks with the leaves and roots removed can be bought at grocery stores that specialize in Asian cuisine, and that they “will root in a glass of water in about 2 weeks.” Wisconsin says you may be able to root store-bought stalks in water or potting medium if enough root plate remains on the stem, and that “Roots should form within two or three weeks if they are going to.” The University of Guam gives the propagation method in more detail: take a slip with rhizome, then “Trim the leaf material to about 10 inches from the root.”

Plant in the ground or in a pot

Plant divisions once frost is past. Utah State says to plant the divisions after the danger from frost has passed, and Wisconsin says to place plants outside as soon as the danger is past, then “Be sure to acclimate plants to outdoor conditions.”

The sources do not agree on spacing. Utah State says divisions should be spaced 3 feet apart in the garden, because the plant can grow 3 to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide when water, fertilizer and growing conditions are optimal. The University of Guam says to “Plant the slips 4 to 6 inches deep in the ground about 1 foot apart,” and its culture summary lists a spacing of 1 to 2 feet. Pick the figure that fits your space, and check the local extension office for a single rule.

Utah State says that in cooler areas of northern Utah, lemongrass should be grown in a pot. The University of Guam says the plant “does well in pots with adequate drainage but requires more moisture than if planted in the ground,” and that “Heat and wind can dry the soil in pots faster in outdoor environments.” Its containers need “frequent watering,” according to the same source.

Water and feed through the summer

Water by hand, or use flood irrigation rather than sprinklers, according to Utah State. Its advice for containers is to water regularly so the pots do not dry out. Wisconsin says lemongrass “requires a great deal of water.”

Feeding is also described differently. Utah State says lemongrass needs lots of nitrogen during the summer. For potted plants outdoors, it recommends a half-strength solution of a balanced water-soluble fertilizer every week to 10 days to maximize growth. For plants in the ground, it suggests a similar fertilizer monthly. The University of Guam rates fertilizer needs as moderate.

Bring it through winter

Utah State gives the most detailed overwintering steps. It says that “Small container plants can be overwintered indoors,” and that divided or containerized plants need “a warm, bright, sunny location.” After harvest or before the first fall frost, it says to save a 6 inch section of the bulbous shoot base. Those sections, with roots attached, can be divided and potted for use the following year.

The University of Guam adds two points about older plants. It says to remove old clumps so new shoots can grow, and that pruning old and dead leaves promotes new leaf growth. It also notes that “Large plants can become root-bound and will need root pruning,” which it calls a good time to divide the plant into many new plants.

Watch for pests and disease

Utah State says lemongrass “is generally free of pests and diseases when grown correctly.” It lists spider mites as a piercing pest that causes tiny yellow or white speckling, and calls them “Mostly an indoor plant problem.” It also lists leaf blight, which appears as reddish brown spots on leaf tips and margins. The sources do not name a product for either problem, and this guide does not recommend one.

Wisconsin says lemongrass “has essentially no pest problems in the Midwest.” The University of Guam describes it as a hardy crop that is resistant to most pests and diseases. A grower in a different region should check the local extension office for pests in that area.

Harvest stalks and store them

Utah State says lemongrass can be harvested at any time once the stalks reach half an inch thick. Wisconsin says to cut stems at ground level when they are about half an inch thick. The University of Guam sets a size for cooking: plants at least 12 inches tall with half-inch stems are desirable. It says frequent harvest stimulates new growth, and that the clump will have many stalks six to nine months after planting.

Storage is the other practical question. The University of Guam says to “Store fresh lemongrass in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed plastic bag for up to three weeks.” It says stalks in freezer bags keep about six months “without any flavor loss.” Utah State gives the same six-month figure for freezing.

Use the stalks and leaves

Wisconsin says that “The whole stalk itself is too hard to be eaten,” so it is usually smashed and simmered in liquid for flavor, then removed before serving. The tender core can be sliced for dishes. Utah State says the leaves flavor teas, soups and sauces, and that dried leaves can be used like bay leaf in soups and teas.

The University of Guam lists more uses: lemongrass can go into teas, nonalcoholic beverages, soups, roasted meats and seafood, baked goods and confections. It also describes lemongrass as an edging for vegetable gardens and, planted on the contour, as a filter strip on steep banks. Those landscape uses appear only in that source, so treat them as one page’s view.

Mistakes to avoid

Letting potted plants dry out. The University of Guam says heat and wind dry pots faster outdoors.
Keeping roots in waterlogged soil. Utah State says to avoid waterlogged soils.
Leaving the plant out in frost. Wisconsin says frost will kill or severely damage it.
Relying on seed. Utah State says the plant is rarely grown from seed, and Wisconsin says seed germinates poorly.
Feeding at full strength. Utah State recommends a half-strength solution for potted plants.
Leaving old clumps in place. The University of Guam recommends removing them so new shoots can grow.

How we chose

This guide uses three university extension pages. They are the Utah State University Extension article “How to Grow Lemongrass in Your Garden,” the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension article on lemongrass, and the University of Guam Land Grant fact sheet CEO-08-2020-2. We opened each on 2026-10-23 and kept statements the page itself makes. Where two pages differ, we show both figures. The Wisconsin page lists a revision date of October 2026, and the Guam fact sheet is numbered 2020. This guide does not try to reconcile the two dates.

What we could not verify

We did not check any seed or plant listing, and no product is recommended here. The pages describe growing conditions in Utah, Wisconsin and Guam, and they do not say how well the plant performs in other climates. None of the three pages gives container sizes or soil volumes for a pot.

What the sources do not say

The sources do not give a success rate for grocery-store stalks, and they do not say how long an overwintered clump stays productive. They differ on whether lemongrass is a perennial, with the Guam page calling it a perennial and the Utah page calling it tender and usually grown as an annual in cooler areas. The spacing and watering figures also differ, and this guide reports both without choosing between them.

Frequently asked questions

Can lemongrass grow outdoors in a cold climate?

Yes, as a summer plant. Utah State says it is commonly grown as an annual in cooler areas, and Wisconsin says it can be grown as an annual in cooler climates. Potted plants can be moved indoors before the first fall frost.

Can you grow lemongrass from a grocery store stalk?

The sources describe it. Utah State says fresh stalks with the leaves and roots absent will root in a glass of water in about two weeks. Wisconsin says the stalk needs enough root plate remaining on the stem, and that roots should form within two or three weeks if they are going to.

How big does lemongrass get?

Utah State says it can grow 3 to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide when conditions are optimal. Wisconsin describes dense clumps up to 6 feet in diameter, and the University of Guam says clumps reach 3 feet or more in height and diameter.

When can you harvest lemongrass?

Utah State says stalks can be picked once they reach about half an inch thick. The University of Guam says plants at least 12 inches tall with half-inch stems are the ones to pick for cooking.

How long does harvested lemongrass keep?

The University of Guam says fresh stalks keep up to three weeks in a sealed bag in the refrigerator, and about six months in freezer bags without losing flavor. Utah State gives the same six-month freezing figure.

Bottom line

Give lemongrass full sun, warmth and steady water in rich, well-drained soil, start it from a division, and bring pots indoors before the first frost.

Sources

https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/lemongrass-in-the-garden (opened 2026-10-23)
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/lemongrass/ (opened 2026-10-23)
https://www.uog.edu/_resources/files/extension/2025-uog-extension-fact-sheet-lemongrass-2020-2.pdf (opened 2026-10-23)