Lemon Grass, Cymbopogon Citratus

Max Height: 1.8m Spread: 1.2m

Origin: South India, Sri Lanka Family: Poaceae/Gramineae

Common Name: Lemongrass, Oil Grass Flower Colour: White

Drought Tolerance: Medium Salinity Tolerance: Medium

Sun Tolerance: High Wind Tolerance: High

Water Requirement: Low PH Level: Basic

Pest Tolerance: High Disease Tolerance: High

Growth Rate: Fast Fragrance: Yes

 

40 - 60 cm

Lemon Grass is fragrant grass is a versatile performer in the kitchen where it can be used in teas, beverages, herbal medicines, and Eastern inspired soups and other dishes. Lemongrass is equally versatile in the garden. This tropical grass grows in dense clumps that can grow to 6 ft (1.8 m) in height and about 4 ft (1.2 m) in width. The strap-like leaves are 0.5-1 in (1.3-2.5 cm) wide, about 3 ft (0.9 m) long, and have gracefully drooping tips. The evergreen leaves are bright bluish-green and release a citrus aroma when crushed. It is the leaves that are used as flavoring and in medicine. They are steam distilled to extract lemongrass oil, an old standby in the the perfumer’s palette of scents. The lemongrass plants that you are likely to encounter are cultivars and do not typically produce flowers.

Cymbopogon citratus, Grasses, Lemon Grass, oil grass, Outdoor Plants