East Indian Lemon Grass is a fast growing ornamental grass and herb that can be grown in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9A through 11. It matures to an average height of 5 feet to 5 feet and an average width of 2 feet to 4 feet, depending on climate and other environmental factors. It prefers growing in a location that provides full sun, morning sun with afternoon shade or morning shade with afternoon sun and grows best when planted in loam, clay or silt soil that is well drained. The foliage is medium green in color. If you like fragrance, East Indian Lemon Grass has fragrant foliage.

East Indian Lemon Grass can be useful in the landscape in containers or planters, as an accent, in landscape beds or islands or in small groupings and also in cottage gardens.

More about West Indian Lemon Grass...

Noteworthy Characteristics

Growing up to 5 foot tall, East Indian Lemon Grass is a grass-like plant with intense lemon-flavored leaves that have long been used as a culinary and medicinal herb. This variety doesn't have the thick stalks of the West Indian variety. Savored in many cuisines, especially Thai and Asian, the green parts of the leaves are used to flavor a variety of foods, and makes a refreshing lemon flavored tea that is said to aid in digestion. Also commonly used for potpourris and candles, perfumes and cosmetics. 

Growing Information

Lemon grass is hardy to grow outdoors in USDA Zones 9 to 11. In colder zones it is grown as an annual in pots that can be brought indoors during the winter when temperatures drop below 50 degrees. Minimum indoor temperatures are 60 degrees F. Plant in well-drained but moist loamy soils for best results. It dislikes constantly soggy soil. When mature, each plant will produce at least 6-12 harvestable stalks, and will regrow when cut back to just above the soil line.

Uses & Cooking Information

The entire plant, including the bulbs, have a light lemon flavor. A good source of vitamin A, the leaves can be used for tea, the stem bases are used in curries and Thai cooking Lemon grass contains citrol and is made into teas to aid digestion. This tropical perennial performs well as a container-grown herb. 

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