herb · transplant · beginner friendly
Lemongrass: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating lemongrass a few times a week needs about 10 plants in ~60 sq ft, worth about $80 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$8.00/lb retail, an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 3 | ~18 sq ft | ~4 | ~$24 |
| 2 people | 5 | ~30 sq ft | ~7 | ~$40 |
| 4 people | 10 | ~60 sq ft | ~13 | ~$80 |
| 6 people | 15 | ~90 sq ft | ~19 | ~$120 |
Spacing
24" in row · 36" between rows
Sow depth
0"
Days to harvest
75 from transplant (100 from seed)
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Jun 5 – Jun 18 | — |
| Zone 4 | May 31 – Jun 28 | — |
| Zone 5 | May 21 – Jun 29 | — |
| Zone 6 | May 11 – Jun 19 | — |
| Zone 7 | Apr 26 – Jun 4 | — |
| Zone 8 | Apr 15 – May 24 | — |
| Zone 9 | Mar 13 – Apr 21 | — |
| Zone 10 | Feb 21 – Apr 1 | — |
Know when it's time to plant
Give us your ZIP and we'll email you a planting checklist for your exact frost dates, this month's list right now, then once a month when sow windows open.
One email a month, only when there's something to plant. Unsubscribe anytime.
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Ready to pick when
Cut stalks at the base once they are a half-inch thick, the swollen pale base is the prize.
Yield
About 1 lb per plant over ~12 productive weeks (~1 lb).
Watch for
Aphids · Spider mites · Downy & powdery mildew · Japanese beetles, the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code, not just your zone, in about 60 seconds.
Lemongrass planting questions
How many lemongrass plants do I need per person?+
For steady eating (about 3 servings a week), plan on roughly 3 plants per person. A family of 4 needs about 10 plants, which takes around 60 sq ft of bed space.
How much space does lemongrass need?+
Space plants 24" apart in the row with 36" between rows. Sow 0" deep. Start indoors, transplant out.
When should I plant lemongrass?+
It depends on your frost dates. Spring sowing is keyed to your last spring frost. The zone table on this page shows typical windows; enter your ZIP in the free planner for dates tuned to your exact location, not just your zone.
Is growing lemongrass worth it?+
At about $8.00/lb retail and ~1 lb per plant, a family-of-4 planting is worth about $80 a year at the store. Prices vary by region and season, so treat it as an estimate.