West Indian Lemon Grass Plant (Cymbopogon citratus)
Best aromatic herb for home cooks and container gardeners.
Bring the vibrant flavors of the tropics to your home with the West Indian Lemon Grass Plant. Native to southern India, this aromatic herb grows in dense clumps, reaching up to 3 feet tall. Its entire stalk and bulb offer a bright lemon taste, perfect for enhancing soups, curries, and teas. Renowned for being more flavorful than East Indian varieties, this tropical perennial is also celebrated for its digestive aid properties. It thrives as a container plant, adding exotic fragrance and culinary versatility to any garden or kitchen.
$14.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
141
/ 8893
#141 in Potted Houseplants
Price vs Category Average
-71%
Below average
Botanical Name
Cymbopogon citratus
/ Cymbopogon citratus
Who it's for
- Home cooks craving authentic Southeast Asian flavors
- Outdoor enthusiasts seeking natural mosquito protection
- Gardeners wanting a high-yield, continuous harvest
Who should skip it
- Gardeners in cold climates avoiding high-maintenance winter care
- Urban dwellers with limited balcony or indoor space
- Plant owners who prefer low-maintenance indoor greenery
Performance breakdown
Culinary Versatility
Essential for elevating everything from aromatic curries to refreshing herbal teas.
Aromatic Intensity
Delivers a potent, authentic citrus fragrance that fills any indoor space.
Container Adaptability
Thrives in pots, making it perfect for kitchen-side herb gardening.
Growth Potential
Reaches a substantial three-foot height with proper sunlight and care.
Maintenance Ease
Requires consistent watering and warmth to maintain its tropical vigor.
Pest Deterrence
Natural oils provide a functional benefit by helping discourage neighborhood cats.
Key Specs
Botanical Name
Cymbopogon citratus
Cultivar
West Indian
Plant Type
Herb
Growth Habit
Ornamental Grass
Mature Height
3 feet
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Hardiness Zones
9-10
Lifespan
Perennial
Features
- Distinct lemon aroma and flavor
- Grows up to 3 feet tall
- Versatile culinary ingredient
- Aids digestion when brewed as tea
- Ideal for container gardening
- More flavorful than East Indian types
- Can help deter cats
- Tropical perennial
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly praise the West Indian Lemon Grass Plant for its exceptional quality and immediate productivity. Reviewers consistently note the plant arrives robust, healthy, and substantial, thanks to meticulous packaging that ensures safe transit. This variety establishes quickly, yielding abundant, fragrant stalks perfect for immediate culinary use, often exceeding expectations compared to local nursery stock. The authentic, strong lemon flavor is highly valued. Even when minor shipping stress occurs, the plant shows remarkable resilience and recovers rapidly. Overall, this specimen is considered excellent value, quickly becoming a highly satisfying and productive addition to any herb garden.
Know before you buy
This plant requires full sun to grow effectively. If you are keeping it indoors, place it in your brightest south-facing window or use a supplemental grow light to ensure it receives enough energy.
Yes, it is well-suited for container gardening. Since it is a tropical perennial, ensure you bring it indoors if temperatures drop below 60°F, as it is not frost-tolerant.
The entire stalk, bulb, and leaves are edible and packed with citrus flavor. You can finely chop the tender inner bulb for curries and stir-fries, or steep the leaves and stalks in hot water to make a soothing digestive tea.
Yes, many gardeners find that the strong, citrusy fragrance of lemon grass acts as a natural deterrent for cats, who generally dislike the scent.
When grown in a container, the plant will typically reach a mature height of about 3 feet. It grows in dense, ornamental clumps, so ensure your pot is large enough to accommodate its root system as it matures.
Use a well-drained potting mix to prevent waterlogged roots. Maintain a medium watering schedule, keeping the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
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$15