// SPECIES PROFILE · FOOD CROP · CULTIVATED

Lemongrass

Cymbopogon citratus

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a cultivated perennial food crop grown for its edible stem, leaf. Family: Poaceae (grass family). Originally from Tropical Southeast Asia. Hardy in zones 9a–11a. Mature size 3'–5'. Harvest in northeastern Oklahoma: Jul–Oct.

// QUICK FACTS

Family: Poaceae (grass family)
Group: crop · perennial
Origin: Tropical Southeast Asia · cultivated
USDA zones: Zones 9a–11a
Mature size: 3'–5'
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Edible parts: stem, leaf
Harvest (NE OK): Jul–Oct
Garden role: heat-loving culinary grass · grown as an annual in Oklahoma · overwinter a division indoors

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) — *Cymbopogon citratus* — Lemongrass. Photo by Raffi Kojian via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Field Notes

[ growing · ecology · siting · care ]

Why it's on this list: heat-loving culinary grass · grown as an annual in Oklahoma · overwinter a division indoors. A cultivated food crop — not a native — grown alongside regional natives in Rooted Revival's kitchen-garden and food-forest designs. Harvest windows are for northeastern Oklahoma (USDA zone 7a).

Companion Planting

[ guild · polyculture · cross-layer pairings ]

In a kitchen garden or food-forest guild, lemongrass pairs well with: Basil (Ocimum basilicum), Chile Pepper (Capsicum annuum), Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum), Eggplant (Solanum melongena).