Herb
Lemongrass
Cymbopogon citratus · Poaceae
Also called: West Indian Lemongrass, Lemon Grass
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a moderate-water herb well suited to Tucson and the low desert. It thrives in full sun, with a fast growth rate. Expect rarely blooms (insignificant) blooms Rarely flowers in cultivation outside the tropics.
Lemongrass at a glance
- Water use
- Moderate (established)
- Sun
- Full sun; loves heat and high light, which Tucson provides in abundance.
- Mature size
- 3–5 ft tall and 2–3 ft wide as a dense fountain-like clump.
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Bloom
- Rarely blooms (insignificant), Rarely flowers in cultivation outside the tropics; grown for its stalks and foliage, not bloom.
- Cold hardiness
- Frost-tender (hardy USDA 9–11); top growth is damaged or killed below ~30°F. In Tucson it dies back in winter and usually resprouts in spring if mulched; grow in a movable container to bring into a warm spot or greenhouse over winter for insurance.
- Soil
- Rich, well-drained soil amended with organic matter; tolerates Tucson's alkaline soil but grows best with added compost. Excellent in large containers.
- Native range
- Tropical Asia (likely Malesia / Sri Lanka / India); cultivated worldwide.
- Best used as
- Culinary herb (Southeast Asian cooking, teas, marinades—uses tender stalk base), Aromatic ornamental grass for patios, Mosquito-deterrent container plant, Herbal tea
- Wildlife
- Citronella-scented oils tend to repel mosquitoes and some insects; minimal wildlife draw.
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic to people; culinary use is safe. Mildly toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if eaten in quantity (essential oils/cyanogenic compounds can cause GI upset)—generally low risk.
How to grow Lemongrass in Tucson & the low desert
Watering
Plant in spring after frost, ideally around monsoon onset (late June–July) when added humidity reduces water needs. A clumping tropical grass that, despite some drought tolerance, performs best with regular moisture—deep water 2–3 times per week in summer heat to keep the clump lush; reduce in winter as it goes dormant.
Fertilizer & nutrients
Moderate to heavy feeder for lush blades—amend with compost and feed monthly through the warm season with a nitrogen-rich or balanced fertilizer. Yellowing blades usually signal a need for nitrogen.
Pruning & care
Harvest by cutting outer stalks at the base. Cut the entire clump back to 4–6 in after winter dormancy or frost dieback to refresh growth in spring; divide overgrown clumps every couple of years.
Notes
Tender in Phoenix/Tucson and needs winter frost protection—keep a division in a warm spot or container as backup. Loves the heat and is most carefree planted at the start of the monsoon when humidity is high and irrigation demand is lower.
Sources: Tucson.com – '5 exotic spices you can grow in your Tucson garden'; Desert-Tropicals.com – Cymbopogon citratus; Top Tropicals plant encyclopedia; Wikipedia: Cymbopogon citratus