Lemongrass East Indian
Lemongrass East Indian
Couldn't load pickup availability
- Handmade in the UK
- Crafted from quality materials
- Made to order
Lemongrass 'East Indian' Seeds
Tall, elegant clumps of arching foliage with an unmistakable lemon sherbet aroma. An essential architectural herb for authentic Thai curries, refreshing teas, and deterring summer insects.
If you love the fresh, citrusy kick of Thai green curry or a refreshing cup of herbal tea, Lemongrass is an essential crop. The 'East Indian' variety is the preferred choice for growing from seed, producing tall, elegant clumps of arching foliage that smell unmistakably of lemon sherbet when crushed.
While famous for its thickened stem bases—the secret ingredient in authentic Asian pastes—the leaves are equally valuable for infusing teas and soups. As a bonus, it makes a stunning architectural pot plant for a sunny patio, where its citral-rich scent is said to help deter mosquitoes on summer evenings.
Read More
🌿 Understanding the Plant
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.
🌱 Growing Guide
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.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Botanical Name | Cymbopogon flexuosus |
| Common Name | East Indian Lemon Grass |
| Plant Type | Tender Perennial |
| Hardiness | H2 (Protect from frost) |
| Light Requirements | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | 90cm - 1.5m |
| Spread | 60cm (Clump-forming) |
| Spacing | 1 plant per large pot |
| Harvest Period | July to October |
| Perfect For | 🍛 Authentic Thai Curries 🫖 Refreshing Herbal Teas 🦟 Deterring Summer Insects 🏺 Architectural Patio Pots |
| Seeds per Packet | Approximately 200 seeds |
🤝 Beautiful Garden Combinations
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.
📅 Sowing & Harvesting Calendar
Sow indoors with heat in early spring for a late-summer harvest of aromatic stems.
⚠️ Handling Caution
The leaves of Lemon Grass have very fine, sharp edges (similar to paper). We strongly recommend wearing gloves when pruning or harvesting the stalks to avoid irritating cuts to your hands.
🏆 Architectural Kitchen Essential
Lemon Grass is a unique "cross-over" plant that provides both culinary value and structural elegance. By overwintering your plants indoors, you can enjoy fresh, citral-rich stalks all year round in your British kitchen.
📖 Want more detailed growing advice?
View our Complete Growing Guide for Culinary Herbs →
Material & Sizing
All of our products are handmade in the UK using carefully selected materials, chosen for durability and suitability for their intended use.
All dimensions are approximate and measured externally.
As each item is handmade, minor variations in size and finish may occur.
This does not affect the strength or intended use of the product.
Materials
- Crafted from quality timber or materials appropriate to the product type
- Designed for strength, stability, and everyday use
- Finished with care to ensure a clean, consistent appearance
(Planters are built using timber suited for outdoor use. Non-Outdoor items use untreated materials where appropriate.)
Sizing
- Dimensions are listed on each product page
- Measurements are approximate due to the handmade nature of our products
- If you need a custom size or have specific requirements, bespoke options are available
If you’re unsure which size or product is right for your space, feel free to get in touch before ordering.
If you have any questions before ordering, feel free to get in touch.
Once your order has been dispatched, you’ll receive a confirmation email with tracking details. You can also view your order status anytime by signing in to your customer account.