Lemongrass Seeds

Grow a fragrant lemongrass clump in a warm, sunny herb bed or a roomy pot. This seed-grown East Indian lemongrass brings citrus-scented foliage and leaf stalks to the garden.

Ready to grow your own fragrant lemongrass? Follow our step-by-step Lemongrass Grow Guide for warm sowing, seedling care, clump spacing and winter protection.

Quick Grow Facts

• Botanical name: Cymbopogon flexuosus (East Indian lemongrass); no named cultivar confirmed.
• Seed form: 5 cleaned seed, 100 raw seed or 1000 raw seed. These descriptions do not confirm treatment status.
• Growth form: clump-forming perennial in warm, frost-free conditions; protect in winter or grow seasonally.
• Position: full sun, warmth and freely draining soil.
• Sowing: a protected tray start is practical. General guidance favours surface sowing or very light cover because light helps germination; check the packet-depth note below.
• Germination: a warm tray method uses about 20–25°C. Johnny's reports 7–14 days for its cleaned seed; Kings Seeds gives 21–40 days under its conditions. These are reference figures, not a guarantee for every pack; the displayed label gives 20–30 days.
• Transplant: healthy plugs around 8–10 cm tall, after gradual hardening off and once frost risk has passed and conditions are warm.
• Garden spacing: start with about 60–90 cm and leave more room for older clumps; the displayed label lists 45–60 cm. The guide explains the different growing layouts.
• Mature dimensions: approximately 90–150 cm foliage height. Missouri Botanical Garden gives 60–90 cm spread; the RHS allows 1–1.5 m. Pots, plant age and growing conditions affect size.
• Harvest: pick lightly once clumps are established and vigorous. Grow for aromatic foliage and leaf stalks, without a promise of thick supermarket stem bases.

Before You Sow

The displayed 100-seed shop label gives 5 mm sowing depth. Kings Seeds also describes a 5 mm method, while Johnny's recommends surface sowing or light cover. Our guide uses the latter method and explains the alternatives. Keep seed in contact with gently moist medium without a heavy covering. The label's 75–100-day harvest figure does not specify a starting point or stage, so begin picking only once clumps are vigorous. Check packet precautions; cleaned and raw do not establish treatment status. Do not rub, soak or chill the seed unless your supplier gives pack-specific instructions.

Growing and Harvesting

Keep seedlings warm and gently moist without waterlogging. Give expanding clumps room and protect them from frost. Harvest small amounts of outer growth once plants are strong, retaining enough leaves for recovery. Fibrous pieces used to flavour food should be removed before serving.

Seed and handling safety: do not eat sowing seed or use it for sprouts, microgreens or animal feed. Follow packet precautions and any crop-use restrictions. Mature leaf edges can be sharp; use gloves for trimming.

Brought to you by Ubuntuberg Seeds, where our mission is to cultivate humanity & harvest unity. Ubuntuberg Seeds: the highest quality seed stock in all of Southern Africa, sourced from sustainable farms, guaranteeing you the best quality seed stock.