Lemon Grass

Basic Information

Seed Number

55

Seed Name

Lemon Grass

Variety

Not recorded

Category

Herb

Plant Family

Poaceae

Plant Type

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon spp.)

Planting Method

Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Mar 10

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 15

Plantable Months

March, April, May, June

Indoor Start

Mar 10 – Mar 24

Direct Sow

Not Recommended

Transplant

May 19 – Jun 15

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

8 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

2 weeks

Germination Days

10–21 days

Harvest/Maturity

Not recorded

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

70-80°F

Planting Depth

1/8 in

Plant Spacing

18-24 in

Row Spacing

24-36 in

Thin-To Spacing

Not recorded

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

Keep consistently moist during active growth; do not allow container plants to dry completely

Soil Preference

Moist, well-drained fertile soil; tolerates a range of soil types

Minimum Container Size

5 gal

Plant Height

2-4 ft

Perennial/Biennial Status

Perennial

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

No

Medicinal

Yes

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors; transplant after heat arrives
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 25 – Jun 20
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 90–120 days
Container Friendly: Yes, 5+ gal
Pollinator Friendly: Modest
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary/herbal
Perennial?: Tender perennial; overwinter indoors
Succession / Reusable Notes: Grow in a pot if you want to overwinter it.
Zone 6B Notes: Not winter-hardy outdoors in Zone 6B.
Companion Plants: Peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, herbs, pollinator flowers nearby
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Shade, cold soil
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Lemongrass is not winter-hardy outdoors in Zone 6B. Grow it as an annual or in a movable container that can be brought indoors before frost. Transplant outdoors only after nights are reliably warm.
Germination: Seed needs warm conditions and consistent surface moisture. Start indoors about 8 weeks before warm-weather transplanting.
Harvest: Harvest outer stalks once they are thick enough for use, cutting near soil level. Leaves can also be cut for tea and flavoring.
Special Care: The packet name does not identify a species. Seed-grown lemongrass is often Cymbopogon flexuosus, while culinary plants sold vegetatively are commonly Cymbopogon citratus; species-specific traits were not assigned where that distinction matters.
Research Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com/herbs/lemon-grass/ — Cymbopogon genus identification, tender perennial habit, container suitability, culinary and medicinal use
Research Source: NC State Extension Plant Toolbox — https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cymbopogon-citratus/ — lemongrass height, full sun, moist well-drained soil, container overwintering, heat tolerance and culinary use
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]