Lemon Grass 'East Indian' Seeds

Cymbopogon flexuosus, or East Indian Lemon Grass, is a Tender Perennial (H2). Native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, it loves intense heat and is highly sensitive to frost, making it a spectacular seasonal plant for the UK summer.

The Citral Power: This variety is prized for its exceptionally high citral content, the essential oil that provides that deep, authentic lemon aroma. In its native habitat, it is a sturdy grass, but in the UK, it behaves as a graceful architectural ornamental that must be overwintered indoors.

A Lifetime Crop: While it is grown as an annual by many, if you bring your pots into a heated conservatory or greenhouse over winter, the clumps can be divided in spring. This means one packet of seeds can potentially provide you with a lifetime of fresh lemon grass stalks.

Lemon Grass requires high temperatures and light to germinate, so a heated propagator or a very warm, bright windowsill is essential.

How to Sow:
Sow indoors from January to April. Surface sow the seeds onto moist, free-draining seed compost. Do not cover the seeds with soil, as they require light to trigger germination. Keep them consistently warm (20-25°C). Be patient, as germination can take between 21 and 40 days.

Where to Grow:
Move your plants outdoors only after the last risk of frost has passed in June. They thrive in full sun and require plenty of water during a hot UK summer. They are perfect for large patio pots, greenhouses, or sunny conservatories where the heat will intensify their fragrance.

Harvesting:
For cooking, harvest the thickened stem bases once they reach about 1-2cm in diameter (usually by late summer) by cutting them at ground level. The grassy leaves can be snipped at any time during the growing season to steep for fresh herbal tea.

Lemon Grass thrives in the heat, making it the perfect partner for other "spicy" patio plants from our collection:

• 🌶️ Bird's Eye Chilli: The Thai Duo. If you are growing ingredients for a home-made curry paste, you need chillies. Both plants love hot, sunny spots and look fantastic growing in pots side-by-side.
• 🌿 Coriander: The Productive Mix. Sow Coriander around the base of your tall Lemon Grass. The Coriander enjoys the slight dappled shade cast by the arching grass stems, which can help prevent it from bolting too quickly in the summer heat.

Sow indoors with heat in early spring for a late-summer harvest of aromatic stems.