When to Plant Lemongrass in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide

Plant September to February. Right now in September you can plant.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Lemongrass guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Lemongrass

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

A tropical perennial grass forming dense clumps to 1.5m tall. The swollen stem bases provide lemony flavour essential to Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian cooking. Frost-tender. Dies at sustained temperatures below 5C. Reliable perennial in tropical to warm-temperate zones, a pot plant or annual in cooler zones.

Best Planting Window for Arid / Semi-Arid

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
P P - - - - - - P P P P

P = Planting window

Plant Sep-Feb. May survive mild winters.

Want a nudge when it is Lemongrass sowing time in Alice Springs?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Arid / Semi-Arid zone right now, Lemongrass included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.

How to Grow Lemongrass in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia

When to Plant

Plant Sep-Feb. May survive mild winters.

Soil
Rich, moist, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter.
pH Range
5.5-7.0
Sunlight
Full sun. Needs heat and light.
Spacing
60cm apart, 90cm between rows
Watering
Regular deep watering in growing season. Reduce in winter.

Companion plants: Ginger, Turmeric, Most tropical plants

Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Lemongrass

Recommended Varieties

  • Cymbopogon citratus

Key Challenges

  • High water needs
  • Frost at altitude

Pro Tips

  • Needs regular irrigation, not drought tolerant
  • Mulch heavily
  • Can form large clumps with water

Harvesting Lemongrass

When ready: Harvest when stalks 1cm+ thick at base and 30cm+ tall. Usually 3-4 months after planting.

How to harvest: Twist and pull outer stalks from base. Use bottom 10-15cm (swollen white base). Peel tough outer layers.

Where to next

What lemongrass costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the arid and semi-arid zone this September: Ginger, Chilli Peppers, Beetroot and Cucumber.

Get the Full Interactive Guide

Track your garden, get real-time pest alerts, and plan around your zone's weather.

Open the planting dashboard Join Garden Buddy

Common Questions About Lemongrass

When do you plant lemongrass in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.