🌿 Lemongrass
Cymbopogon citratus
herbs perennial clumping grass
🗺️ Zones
4-9
🧪 Soil pH
5.5-7.5
📏 Spacing
24-36 in. apart (clumping grass, spreads 3-4 ft wide)
📅 Days to Maturity
75-100 days (from planting divisions); harvest stalks when 1/2 inch thick at base
🍴 Edible Parts
🍽️ ["Thai curries🍽️ tom yum soup🍽️ teas🍽️ marinades🍽️ Vietnamese and Indonesian cuisine"]
🤝 Companions (6)
🤝 tomatoes
Lemongrass repels whiteflies, mosquitoes, and some tomato pests with its citronella content; its clumping habit doesn't compete with tomato roots.
🤝 peppers
Lemongrass deters aphids and whiteflies from peppers; both enjoy full sun and well-drained soil with similar watering needs.
Lemongrass and basil create an aromatic pest-repelling barrier together; lemongrass's upright clumps complement basil's bushier form without competition.
🤝 eggplants
Lemongrass helps deter flea beetles and aphids from eggplants; its narrow profile allows eggplants full sun access while providing pest protection.
🤝 citrus trees
Lemongrass planted under citrus trees repels pests while benefiting from the tree's light shade in the hottest months — a classic tropical orchard pairing.
Lemongrass helps mask broccoli from cabbage moths and aphids with its strong citronella scent; plant at broccoli patch borders for best effect.
⚠️ Keep Apart (0)
No antagonistic relationships recorded yet.
💊 Medicinal Uses
Contains citral, geraniol, and myrcene (essential oils) with antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Rich in antioxidants and folate. Used for digestive issues, anxiety, insomnia, and hypertension. Traditional remedy for fever, colds, and rheumatic pain. Citral shown to have anti-cancer properties in preliminary studies.