Author: Jagdish Reddy | 10+ Years Gardening Experience
Fact-Checked Against: Utah State & NC State Extension
Last Updated: May 2026
Growing lemongrass in pots is one of the most practical ways to keep fresh stalks on hand all season. With the right container, full sun, and regular feeding, a single plant produces enough for a household that cooks with it weekly.
This guide covers how to grow lemongrass in pots from setup through multiple harvests, including the specific techniques that drive thicker stalks, stronger flavor, and higher yield. Whether you are growing lemongrass in containers on a balcony or a backyard patio, the same core principles apply.
Why Growing Lemongrass in Pots Makes Sense
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), also known as West Indian lemongrass, is a tropical perennial grass that spreads aggressively in the ground. Containers keep it controlled, let you manage soil conditions precisely, and make it easy to move indoors before frost.
In USDA zones 9 through 11, pots stay outside year-round. In zones 8 and colder, a container is the only practical way to keep lemongrass alive through winter without major digging.
- No invasive spreading into garden beds
- Full control over drainage and soil quality
- Move indoors before first frost without disturbing roots
- Works on balconies, patios, and rooftops
What You Need Before Planting Lemongrass in Pots
Choosing Healthy Stalks or Seedlings
Start from grocery store stalks, nursery transplants, or divided clumps. Grocery stalks work well if the base is firm and shows a trace of green. Trim the top half, stand the base in a glass with an inch of water, and roots appear in one to three weeks. Nursery transplants save about six weeks and are worth it in short-season climates.
Selecting the Right Pot Size
Use at least a 12-inch wide, 12-inch deep container for one plant. A five-gallon pot fills with roots within one season and stalls growth. A 15 to 20-gallon pot is the better investment for long-term productivity. Drainage holes are non-negotiable.
Best Potting Mix for Lemongrass
Mix 60% quality potting soil, 20% perlite or coarse sand, and 20% finished compost. Avoid heavy garden soil or moisture-retaining tropical mixes. Good drainage is more important than any other soil quality.
| Item | Purpose | Notes |
| 15+ gal container | Root space and stability | Drainage holes required |
| Perlite or coarse sand | Improves drainage | Mix 20% into potting soil |
| Balanced NPK fertilizer | Feeds active growth | 10-10-10 or fish emulsion |
| Watering can | Consistent moisture delivery | Water at the base |
Best Varieties of Lemongrass for Container Growing
Two varieties are available to most US gardeners. West Indian lemongrass is the standard for cooking. East Indian is better suited for teas and essential oil production.
| Feature | West Indian | East Indian |
| Best for | Cooking | Teas and essential oils |
| Flavor | Sweeter, citrusy | Sharper, more pungent |
| Availability | Easy to find | Less common |
| Container performance | Excellent | Good |
For kitchen use, West Indian lemongrass is the clear choice. Thicker stalks, stronger citrus aroma, and widely available at nurseries and grocery stores across the USA.
What Size Pot Produces the Best Lemongrass Harvest?
Pot size directly affects stalk thickness, plant size, and harvest frequency. A root-bound plant in a small container stops pushing new growth. Here is how production compares across container sizes:
| Pot Size | Stalks Per Harvest | Time Before Repotting |
| 5-gallon | 3 to 5 stalks | 6 to 8 months |
| 10-gallon | 6 to 10 stalks | 12 to 18 months |
| 15-gallon | 10 to 20 stalks | 2 to 3 years |
| 20-gallon+ | 15 to 25 stalks | 3+ years |
A 15-gallon pot is the sweet spot for most home growers. It supports maximum stalk size, delays repotting for two to three years, and gives you enough production to freeze and store surplus.
Planning your container layout? Our plant spacing calculator at Garden Truth helps you figure out how many containers fit your available space.
How to Plant Lemongrass in Pots Step by Step
Step 1: Prepare the Container
Cover drainage holes loosely with mesh or a coffee filter to keep soil in without blocking drainage. No gravel layer needed at the bottom if your mix contains perlite.
Step 2: Fill with Well-Draining Soil
Fill two-thirds of the pot, water once, and let the soil settle before planting. This prevents air pockets from forming around the roots.
Step 3: Plant at the Right Depth
Set the stalk or transplant so the base sits two to three inches below the soil surface. Do not bury the crown deep. Lemongrass is prone to crown rot when the base stays wet and buried.
Step 4: Water In and Place in Full Sun
Water until it drains freely from the bottom. Move the container to the sunniest spot available. South-facing locations with six to eight hours of direct sun produce the best results.
5 Proven Ways to Increase Lemongrass Flavor and Yield in Containers
1. Full Sun Is Non-Negotiable
Sunlight drives essential oil production in lemongrass. Plants in partial shade produce thinner stalks with noticeably weaker citrus aroma. If you can only fix one thing, fix the light.
2. Keep Soil Moisture Consistent
Lemongrass does not tolerate swinging between bone dry and waterlogged. Consistent moisture, not wet soil, is what the plant wants. Check every two days in hot weather.
3. Feed Regularly Spring Through Summer
Lemongrass is a heavy feeder. Fish emulsion every three to four weeks during the growing season makes a visible difference in stalk size within weeks. Nitrogen is the key driver.
4. Repot Before the Plant Gets Root-Bound
Once roots circle the container or push out of drainage holes, stalk production drops fast. Check the root ball each spring and size up or divide before growth stalls.
5. Harvest on a Schedule
Cutting stalks every three to four weeks keeps the plant producing. Leaving old stalks in place does not increase yield. It just gives you fewer, woodier stalks with weaker flavor.
How to Grow Thicker Lemongrass Stalks
Thin stalks are the most common frustration with container lemongrass. The fix is almost always one of three things.
Nitrogen Drives Stalk Development
Nitrogen is the most important nutrient for building thick, dense stalks. Plants not getting enough nitrogen produce pale, soft stalks that feel hollow at the base. Add fish emulsion and you will see the difference within two to three weeks of the first feeding.
Pot Size Has a Direct Impact
A root-bound plant cannot absorb nutrients efficiently. Moving a struggling plant from a five-gallon to a 15-gallon pot often produces noticeably thicker stalks within one growing season. The roots expand and the plant responds fast.
Cut at the Base, Not Partway Up
A clean cut at ground level redirects full energy to new growth. Stalks cut partway up sometimes sprout thin side shoots instead of replacing the main stalk. Cut low and the replacement stalks come in thicker.
Signs Your Lemongrass Is Ready for Peak-Flavor Harvesting
Stalk Diameter Is the Key Indicator
A stalk ready to harvest measures at least half an inch thick at the base and feels firm when you run your fingers along it. Thinner than that, the essential oils have not fully developed. Give it more time.
Aroma Tells You the Most
Lightly scratch or pinch the base of a stalk. A strong immediate citrus fragrance means the stalk is at peak flavor. A weak or barely-there scent usually means it needs more sun or another week or two of growth.
Height and Leaf Color
Stalks should stand at least 12 inches tall before harvest. Deep green leaves with no yellowing beyond the outer older blades indicate the plant is in good health and producing well.
Morning harvests tend to deliver the most concentrated aroma. Pick after the dew dries but before the heat of the afternoon.
How Much Lemongrass Does One Plant Produce?
A mature lemongrass plant in a 15-gallon container produces 10 to 20 harvestable stalks every three to four weeks during peak growing season.
In warm climates like Florida, Texas, or Southern California, that adds up to six to eight harvests per year. In cooler zones with a growing season from April through October, expect four to five harvests.
| Pot Size | Stalks Per Harvest | Harvests Per Year | Annual Stalks |
| 5-gallon | 3 to 5 | 3 to 4 | 9 to 20 |
| 10-gallon | 6 to 10 | 4 to 5 | 24 to 50 |
| 15-gallon | 10 to 20 | 5 to 8 | 50 to 160 |
| 20-gallon+ | 15 to 25 | 5 to 8 | 75 to 200 |
One well-managed 15-gallon container can realistically supply a household that cooks with lemongrass weekly, with enough left over to freeze.
Best Soil for Growing Lemongrass in Pots
Lemongrass grows best in slightly acidic to neutral soil, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Most quality bagged potting mixes land in this range without adjustment.
Add 20 to 30 percent perlite by volume to improve drainage. Avoid fine sand, which compacts over time. Worm castings worked in at planting give a slow-release nutrient base that feeds the plant between liquid fertilizer applications.
Our raised bed soil calculator at Garden Truth tells you exactly how much potting mix your container needs by volume.
| Ingredient | Benefit | Amount to Use |
| Perlite | Drainage and aeration | 20 to 30% of total mix |
| Finished compost | Nutrients and microbial life | 15 to 20% of total mix |
| Worm castings | Slow-release nutrition | One handful per pot |
How Often to Water Lemongrass in Containers
Water young plants when the top inch of soil feels dry. For established plants, water deeply every two to three days in hot summer weather, every four to five days in cooler periods.
Always water until it drains from the bottom. Shallow watering produces shallow roots and a less resilient plant.
| Problem | Overwatering | Underwatering |
| Leaves | Yellow, limp, soft | Brown tips, curling |
| Soil | Wet surface, possibly moldy | Dry, pulling from pot edges |
| Stalks | Soft or rotting at base | Thin and pale |
| Fix | Reduce watering, check drainage | Water deeply, check for root binding |
Fertilizing Lemongrass for Bigger Harvests
Fish emulsion is the top choice for container lemongrass. High in nitrogen, fast-acting, and shows results within two weeks of the first application. Liquid seaweed adds trace minerals that support stalk quality. Use both together every three to four weeks from spring through early fall.
Start fertilizing four weeks after planting. Stop completely in late fall when growth slows. Feeding a near-dormant plant causes salt buildup without any growth benefit.
Not sure how much compost to mix in? Our compost calculator at Garden Truth works out the right ratio for any container size.
- Yellow lower leaves: nitrogen deficiency, increase feeding frequency
- Purple-tinged blades: phosphorus deficiency, common in cold soil under 60 degrees F
- Pale color, slow growth: general depletion, flush soil then resume feeding
How to Grow Thicker, Bushier Lemongrass Plants
Spring Cutback
Cut the entire plant back to six inches above soil in early spring before new growth starts. This removes dead winter material, opens up the center to light, and triggers a flush of thick new stalks within weeks.
Removing Dead Leaves
Pull dead outer leaves from the base by hand. They release cleanly without cutting. Better airflow at the base reduces fungal risk and keeps the plant looking tidy.
Dividing Overgrown Clumps
After two to three years, tip out the root ball and cut into sections with a sharp spade. Repot each division into fresh soil. Each one comes back as a productive plant and the original clump stops declining.
How to Propagate Lemongrass at Home
You can start lemongrass from grocery store stalks or regrow it from stalks you have already harvested. Both methods work the same way.
What You Need for Success
- A fresh stalk with the base fully intact
- A glass with about an inch of room-temperature water
- A warm, bright window out of direct afternoon sun
- Fresh water every two to three days
Roots appear in one to three weeks. Once they reach about an inch long, pot the stalk in your prepared mix and keep soil consistently moist for two weeks while it establishes.
The main reason grocery store stalks fail is age. Dried-out stalks with no green left rarely root. Buy the freshest ones available and trim the top half before placing in water.
How Long Does Lemongrass Take to Grow?
Lemongrass typically reaches harvestable size in 3 to 5 months from rooted stalks and 2 to 3 months from nursery transplants.
| Starting Method | Time to First Harvest | Notes |
| Grocery store stalk | 4 to 6 months | Includes 2 to 4 weeks to root in water |
| Rooted cutting | 3 to 5 months | Faster with warm temps and full sun |
| Nursery transplant | 2 to 3 months | Already established root system |
| Divided clump | 4 to 8 weeks | Has mature roots from parent plant |
After the first harvest, regrowth comes in faster because the root system is already established. Warm temperatures above 75 degrees F speed growth noticeably.
Does Lemongrass Come Back Every Year?
Whether lemongrass comes back depends on your USDA growing zone. In warm climates it is a true perennial. Everywhere else, it dies back in winter unless protected.
| USDA Zone | Outdoor Winter Survival | Action Needed |
| Zones 9 to 11 | Perennial, returns each spring | None |
| Zone 8 | Sometimes survives with heavy mulch | Mulch deeply, pot is safer |
| Zones 7 and colder | Will not survive outdoors | Bring container indoors |
Container growing solves the perennial problem in cold zones. Bring the pot inside before the first frost, keep the plant barely alive through winter, and move it back out in spring. Done right, one plant lasts many years regardless of your zone.
Find your exact frost dates and last-frost window with our USA planting calendar at Garden Truth before moving containers back outside in spring.
How and When to Harvest Lemongrass
Stalks are ready when they reach at least half an inch thick at the base and stand 12 or more inches tall. A stalk ready to cut feels firm and releases a sharp citrus fragrance when lightly scratched.
Best Time to Harvest Lemongrass
For maximum flavor, harvest in the morning after the dew dries but before afternoon heat sets in. Essential oil concentration is highest earlier in the day. Stalks should be at least half an inch thick at the base and 12 inches tall before cutting.
Cut at ground level from the outer stalks first, leaving younger inner stalks to continue growing. Never remove more than one-third of the plant at one time.
A mature clump in a 15-gallon pot produces harvestable stalks every three to four weeks during peak season. The more consistently you harvest, the more the plant produces.
Storing Fresh Lemongrass After Harvest
Refrigerate
Wrap stalks in a slightly damp paper towel and store in a sealed bag in the crisper drawer. Do not wash before refrigerating. They stay fresh for up to three weeks.
Freeze
Wash, dry, and wrap each stalk individually in plastic wrap. Freeze in a zip-lock bag. Frozen stalks keep six months and go straight from freezer to pot without thawing.
Dry
Dehydrate at 95 to 115 degrees F for four to six hours, or air dry in a warm room for a few days. Best for teas and broths. Fresh citrus intensity fades with drying, so freeze what you plan to use for cooking.
Growing Lemongrass on a Balcony
Balconies work well for lemongrass. Heat from walls and floors, good sun exposure, and airflow from wind all suit the plant.
Weight and Wind
A 15-gallon pot with wet soil can weigh 60 to 80 pounds. Check your balcony’s load rating before filling large containers. Using a perlite-heavy mix reduces weight without affecting drainage.
On windy balconies, place pots against a wall. Lemongrass is tall and catches wind easily. A heavier container or fabric grow bag low to the ground tips less than lightweight plastic.
Sun Exposure by Direction
- South and west-facing: best for lemongrass, strong afternoon sun drives essential oil development
- East-facing: good morning light, stalks will be slightly thinner than in full afternoon sun
- North-facing: too shaded for reliable production
Why Your Potted Lemongrass Is Struggling (And How to Fix It)
Yellowing Leaves
Overwatering causes soft, yellow, limp leaves. Nitrogen deficiency causes yellowing that starts on older lower leaves first. Check drainage before assuming it is a nutrient problem. A pot sitting in a saucer of water after rain is a common culprit.
Slow Growth
Slow growth points to insufficient sunlight, root-bound conditions, or temperatures below 55 degrees F. Lemongrass stops growing when nights drop below 50 degrees. In cooler climates, wait for consistent warm weather before expecting activity.
Thin Stalks
Check three things: pot size, fertilizing schedule, and daily sun hours. Fix whichever applies and stalk thickness improves within one growing cycle.
Root Rot
Remove the plant, trim blackened roots with clean scissors, dust cut ends with cinnamon as a natural antifungal, and repot in fresh dry mix. Improve drainage to prevent recurrence.
Common Pests
- Aphids: strong spray of water or diluted neem oil
- Spider mites: insecticidal soap spray, increase humidity around the plant
- Fungal spots: remove affected leaves, improve airflow, avoid wetting the base
Best Companion Plants for Lemongrass in Containers
Lemongrass grows best in its own container, but its natural citronella compounds help deter mosquitoes, aphids, and whiteflies from nearby plants. Place pots near basil, peppers, marigolds, or cilantro for mutual benefit.
Keep mint in a separate pot and away from lemongrass. Mint roots escape drainage holes and compete aggressively for nutrients.
Growing Lemongrass Indoors During Winter
Move containers inside before the first frost. A brief light frost is tolerable, but sustained temperatures below 30 degrees F will kill the plant.
Cut plants back to six to eight inches before bringing inside. Reduce watering to about once per week. Stop fertilizing entirely. The goal is to keep the plant alive and resting, not growing.
A south-facing window provides minimum indoor light. A grow light running 12 to 14 hours daily prevents the plant from fully shutting down. Resume full outdoor care once nighttime temperatures hold above 55 degrees F.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you grow lemongrass from store-bought stalks?
Yes. Place a fresh stalk base in a glass with an inch of water in a warm, bright window. Roots appear in one to three weeks. Once roots reach about an inch long, pot into well-draining soil. The stalk must have an intact base and be reasonably fresh.
What size pot is best for lemongrass?
A 15-gallon pot is ideal for one plant. It supports maximum stalk size, handles two to three years of growth before repotting is needed, and produces 10 to 20 stalks per harvest during peak season.
How much lemongrass does one plant produce?
A mature plant in a 15-gallon container produces 10 to 20 harvestable stalks every three to four weeks during active growing season. In warm climates, that adds up to six to eight harvests per year.
Why are my lemongrass stalks thin?
Thin stalks come from root crowding, low nitrogen, or insufficient sun. Check all three. Most thin-stalk problems are fixed by moving to a larger pot, fertilizing, or relocating the container to a sunnier spot.
Can lemongrass grow indoors year-round?
Yes, but with limitations. Lemongrass grows indoors year-round if it gets at least six hours of bright light daily, either from a south-facing window or a grow light running 12 to 14 hours. Expect slower growth and thinner stalks than outdoors in full sun.
Does lemongrass come back every year?
In USDA zones 9 to 11, yes. Lemongrass is a true perennial in warm climates and returns from the roots each spring. In zones 8 and colder, bring the container indoors before first frost and it survives as a perennial in the pot.
How often can you harvest lemongrass?
Every three to four weeks during peak growing season from a mature, well-fed plant. Regular harvesting encourages more production. Skipping harvests produces woodier stalks with weaker flavor.
Final Thoughts
Lemongrass is one of the best herbs you can grow at home in containers. Fresh stalks are noticeably more fragrant and flavorful than anything from a store, and knowing how to care for lemongrass in pots is simpler than most guides make it sound.
Get the pot size right, give it full sun, feed consistently, and harvest on a schedule. Those four habits cover most of the difference between a productive container and a struggling one.
Start with one plant in a 15-gallon pot. Whether you are growing lemongrass in containers on a balcony or a patio, these same principles produce thicker stalks and stronger flavor. Most first-time growers are ready for a second container before summer ends.
Map out your container garden with our Garden Planner Tool. If you run into any growing problems, our Plant Diagnosis Tool helps you identify and fix them fast.
References
References
1. Utah State University Extension: How to Grow Lemongrass in Your Garden
2. NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Cymbopogon citratus — Lemongrass
Disclaimer
Gardening information on Garden Truth is for educational purposes only. Results vary by climate, soil, weather, and growing conditions. For region-specific advice, consult your local USDA Cooperative Extension Service before making major gardening or soil changes.