PPatch

Grow to Eat

When to plant Lemongrass in Australia

A practical climate-by-climate planting calendar plus detailed starting, care, problem and safety guidance.

StartPlant divisionsLightFull sunTimingLight harvest in 12–16 weeksDifficultyEasy
Lemongrass plant
Cymbopogon · Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
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Australian planting calendar

Best months by climate

Highlighted months are the usual planting window. A local nursery, seed packet and current weather forecast should take priority over a broad climate calendar.

Tropical

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JanPlantFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant

Aim for January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.

Subtropical

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JanPlantFebPlantMarPlantAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant

Aim for August, September, October, November, December, January, February, March.

Warm temperate

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JanPlantFebPlantMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant

Aim for September, October, November, December, January, February.

Cool temperate

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JanPlantFebPlantMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepWaitOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant

Aim for October, November, December, January, February.

Mediterranean

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JanPlantFebPlantMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant

Aim for September, October, November, December, January, February.

Semi-arid

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JanPlantFebPlantMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant

Aim for September, October, November, December, January, February.

Arid

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JanPlantFebPlantMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant

Aim for September, October, November, December, January, February.

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Start well

Plant lemongrass with confidence

Plant divisions. Prepare the final position first, retain the existing root-ball level and water thoroughly after planting.

Sowing or planting depth
Plant at the existing crown or root-ball level unless the label specifies otherwise.
Germination or establishment
Not normally started from seed in this guide; establishment speed depends on plant size, season and root condition.
Spacing
Use the mature width on the label; Patch's broad family guide is only a starting point.
Soil
Free-draining soil; Mediterranean herbs prefer leaner conditions; usually ph 6.0–7.5.

Feeding

Support steady growth

Feed lightly; rich fertiliser can reduce flavour in Mediterranean herbs.

Water

Keep moisture balanced

Water to establish, then match moisture to the herb’s natural climate.

Maintenance

What to do as it grows

Tip-prune regularly and remove flowers when leaves are the desired harvest.

Harvest or display

Know when it is ready

Light harvest in 12–16 weeks. Readiness varies with variety and weather; use colour, firmness, size and the supplier's maturity notes rather than the calendar alone.

Problems and companions

Keep your patch healthy

Common watch-outs

Poor drainage, mites and sap-sucking insects are common when herbs are stressed or crowded.

Useful neighbours

Use herbs between vegetables and flowers where their mature size, light and water needs are compatible.

People and pets

Safety note

No Patch-specific toxicity warning is recorded. That does not prove the plant is safe—check the exact species with a veterinarian or poisons service if children or pets may eat it.

Moving plants

Biosecurity note

Check local weed, invasive-plant and interstate quarantine rules before sharing or moving unfamiliar plant material.

Transparent guidance

How to use this guide

Patch gives a broad Australian starting point, not a guarantee for every variety or garden. Read the Patch methodology and sources, check the latest Bureau of Meteorology climate information, and confirm interstate restrictions through Australian Interstate Quarantine.

Last reviewed 3 September 2026