West Indian

Family: Poaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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Bright as sunshine in the garden, West Indian lemongrass unfurls into tall, upright clumps with a vivid, lemony fragrance that rises from the leaves at every touch.

The tender stalks are juicy and aromatic, with a clean, citrus snap and a pale interior that turns wonderfully fragrant when warmed. Grow West Indian for bold, fragrant flavor in teas and infusions, and for stirring into sauces and marinades where its signature lemon note shines.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Clumping

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West Indian Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Mar 16th	Jun 8th	Sep 6th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 6th	May 29th	Aug 27th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 6th	May 29th	Aug 27th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 10th	Jun 2nd	Aug 31st – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 6th	May 29th	Aug 27th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 4th	May 27th	Aug 25th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Feb 27th	May 22nd	Aug 20th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Feb 23rd	May 18th	Aug 16th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Feb 20th	May 15th	Aug 13th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 14th	May 9th	Aug 7th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 9th	May 4th	Aug 2nd – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Jan 30th	Apr 24th	Jul 23rd – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Jan 21st	Apr 15th	Jul 14th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 12th	Apr 6th	Jul 5th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Dec 26th	Mar 20th	Jun 18th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 1st	Feb 23rd	May 24th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 30th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Clumping
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

West Indian lemongrass has that unmistakable lemony hit right up front—juicy and aromatic, not weedy—so it rewards being warmed in fat and then strained for a clear, fragrant finish. Use it like a flavor engine for broths, coconut soups, and marinades where its citrus snap stays crisp instead of turning bitter.

Best Uses

bruise and steep for bright lemongrass tea or quick infusions
make a fast, fragrant base for broths and coconut soups
grind/stir into pan sauces after softening in oil (then strain)
muddle into marinades and dressings for a clean citrus lift

Flavor Profile

sharp lemon-citrus snap fresh grassy herbal bite fragrant, slightly sweet aroma tender stalk juiciness

Kitchen Pairings

coconut milk ginger lime garlic fish sauce brown sugar

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Cymbopogon citratus (West Indian lemongrass), and how can I treat it?

A common issue is rust (brown-orange spots on leaves), which spreads in warm, humid conditions and on crowded plants. Remove heavily affected leaves, improve airflow by spacing clumps, and water at the base early in the day so foliage dries quickly. If rust keeps returning, spray with a labeled fungicide for rust on edible grasses and follow the label reapplication interval.

How often should I water Cymbopogon citratus during its main growing phase, and what soil moisture does it need?

Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged—aim for evenly damp soil in the top few inches during active growth. In typical summer heat, this often means watering about 2–3 times per week, but only as needed so the surface doesn’t stay soggy after watering. Mulch lightly to reduce evaporation, and ensure drainage is excellent because lemongrass will decline in persistently wet soil.

How do I tell when Cymbopogon citratus is ready to harvest (around 90 days)?

Harvest when clumps have multiple sturdy stalks and the lower 6–10 inches of stalks are thick enough to peel and release a strong lemon scent when crushed. You can start taking individual stalks at about 90 days, cutting near the base with a sharp tool, and allow the remaining stalks to continue growing. Taste and smell matter: harvested stalks should be fragrant and tender rather than fibrous.