Grass Specifications
- Season: Perennial
- USDA Zones: 8 - 10
- Height: 36 - 60 inches
- Width: 24 - 36 inches
- Foliage Color: Blue-green
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained, pH 6.1 - 7.8
- Environment: Full sun to partial shade
Planting Directions
- Temperature: 70 - 75F
- Average Germ Time: 7 - 21 days
- Light Required: Yes
- Depth: Press seed onto surface of soil, cover lightly with peat moss
- Sowing Rate: 2 - 3 seeds per plant
- Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination
- Plant Spacing: 36 - 48 inches
- Care & Maintenance: See: Lemon Grass
Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) - Grow Lemon Grass seeds for an essential herb used in Asian cuisine. The leaves and stems of Lemon Grass can be used fresh or dried to impart a distinct lemon flavor. Lemongrass herb adds exquisite flavor to soup, curries, and sauces, as well as fish and chicken dishes. It is also great for keeping the mosquitoes away! Makes a wonderful ingredient for hot teas. Made into a tea, it can help with digestive problems. This clump-forming perennial easily is grown from herb seeds, and it resembles an ornamental grass with its aromatic cane-like stems arising from a central base. The lemon-scented, linear, strap leaves reach 3 feet long, falling over at the tip. The fibrous leaves have a very strong lemon aroma and are the source of Lemon Grass oil that is used to flavor candy, ice cream and pastries.
The Lemon Grass ornamental thrives in moist soil and full sun, growing 36 - 60 inches tall. Grow in containers so that the plant can be moved indoors during winter. It is a tropical perennial grown as an annual in most parts of the United States. It is not tolerant of frost and any heavy frost will kill it.
How To Grow Lemon Grass From Seed: Sowing Lemon Grass herb seeds indoors is recommended for optimum germination rates. Sow the ornamental grass seeds on the surface of the soil and press gently into the soil. Cover Lemongrass seeds lightly with peat moss. Transplant outdoors after plant has reached a height of 6 inches.