Guide to Lighting for Lush Lemongrass Growth

Lemongrass is a lovely plant with long, arching stalks and bright green leaves. It looks great in any garden or indoor space. But it’s not just pretty, lemongrass also adds amazing flavor to food and gives off a fresh, citrusy smell.

That said, don’t assume it will grow well just anywhere with a little sunlight. That’s a common mistake. Since lemongrass comes from warm, sunny tropical places, it needs the right kind of light to grow well, whether you’re using natural sunlight or LED grow lights.

So today, let’s go over some simple tips to help your lemongrass grow strong and healthy.

Light Requirements for Lemongrass

Lemongrass is a sun-loving perennial grass native to Asia and Africa and is closely related to citronella. It thrives in warm, tropical climates and grows best when it gets plenty of light, especially full sun. For healthy growth, lemongrass needs at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.

While it can tolerate a bit of partial shade, too little sunlight can cause the plant to become tall and spindly, while a weaker flavor. Shady conditions may also make lemongrass more vulnerable to pests.

Growing Lemongrass Indoors or Outdoors

Wondering whether lemongrass is better suited for indoor or outdoor growing? The answer might surprise you: lemongrass can thrive in both settings, as long as it gets the right amount of light.

In its native environment, lemongrass enjoys full sun, high humidity, and warm temperatures between 70–90°F. These conditions make it ideal for outdoor cultivation. It can grow as a perennial and reach heights of 3 to 5 feet when given enough sunlight.

If you're growing lemongrass indoors, place it near a south-facing window where it can receive plenty of sunlight throughout the day. If natural light is limited, use full-spectrum LED grow lights to mimic sunlight and support healthy photosynthesis. For best results, keep the grow lights on for about 12 to 14 hours a day to ensure steady, vigorous growth.

Common Mistakes in Indoor Lighting and Solutions

A common mistake when growing lemongrass indoors is providing too much light. While light is essential for healthy growth, excessive direct light can cause the leaves to dry out and become brittle.

Some growers assume that higher light intensity will boost the plant's oil and citral content. However, research shows that light has only a small effect on these compounds. In fact, only under extreme light deprivation was there a slight decline in oil content, meaning more light doesn't necessarily mean more benefits.

On the flip side, not giving enough light is also a problem. Lemongrass needs sufficient light to thrive, and even moderate shading can significantly reduce growth and lower grass yield.

So, what’s the solution? Use dimmable LED grow lights. These allow you to adjust light intensity as needed, giving your lemongrass the right amount of light at every stage of growth, helping to ensure strong and steady development.

Additional Care Tips for Thriving Lemongrass

In addition to proper lighting, several other factors play a key role in growing lush and healthy lemongrass. These include soil, water, and temperature.

Soil requirements

Lemongrass grows best in well-draining loamy or sandy soil that is rich in nitrogen. The ideal soil PH is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 5.0 to 7.0. Avoid using heavy or clay soils, as they can restrict root growth and make it harder for the plant to develop properly.

Watering needs

Lemongrass prefers consistently moist soil but should but be overwatered. The ideal moisture level is around 80%. Both excessive dryness and high humidity can negatively affect the plant, leading to reduced growth and lower yield. Although soil moisture has only a minor effect on oil and citral content, extreme conditions may cause a slight decline in these levels.

Temperatures

Temperature is another important factor. Lemongrass thrives in warm climates with temperatures between 70-90°F. It is sensitive to cold and does not tolerate frost. When temperatures drop below 45°F, plant growth slows and the quality of the lemongrass decreases, including lower yield, oil content, and citral concentration.

If you are growing lemongrass in containers, keep in mind that pots are more vulnerable to temperature changes. They can overheat quickly in the sun or become too cold during winter. In colder months, it is best to move the plant indoors and use LED grow lights to maintain healthy growth.