Cymbopogon citratus

Common name(s): lemongrass, West Indian lemongrass

Description: perennial; a tropical grass that can be grown in temperate regions as an annual or in a greenhouse as a perennial. C. citratus is typically the preference for culinary application as its stalks are much larger and easier to process than C. flexuosus. Leaves smell strongly of lemon when bruised.

Height: to 4 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.

Position: full sun and well-draining soil

Uses: medicine, culinary- in cuisines throughout the world, herbal tea

Winter Hardiness: to 30 F and below

Distribution: S. India, Sri Lanka (though introduced in much of the tropics throughout the world)