East Indian Lemongrass Plant Care
Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees ex Steud.) Will.Watson
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Cymbopogon flexuosus, also called Cochin grass, East-Indian lemon grass or Malabar grass, is a perennial grass native to India, Sri Lanka, Burma, and Thailand. It is placed in the genus Cymbopogon (lemongrasses).
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for East Indian Lemongrass?
Water East Indian Lemongrass every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the East Indian Lemongrass?
East Indian Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Cymbopogon genus. East Indian Lemongrass is native to India, Sri Lanka, Burma, and Thailand. East Indian Lemongrass is also known as Cochin Lemongrass, Malabar Grass, Serua Grass.
East Indian Lemongrass displays a grassy clumping habit growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. East Indian Lemongrass produces small, inconspicuous flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a East Indian Lemongrass?
Cymbopogon flexuosus requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the East Indian Lemongrass Need?
East Indian Lemongrass thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the East Indian Lemongrass Prefer?
Cymbopogon flexuosus grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. East Indian Lemongrass prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a East Indian Lemongrass?
Well-draining sandy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for East Indian Lemongrass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a East Indian Lemongrass?
Feed East Indian Lemongrass every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a East Indian Lemongrass?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a East Indian Lemongrass?
East Indian Lemongrass can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to lemongrass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the East Indian Lemongrass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list East Indian Lemongrass, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the East Indian Lemongrass?
East Indian Lemongrass is susceptible to aphids, grasshoppers, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the East Indian Lemongrass Need?
East Indian Lemongrass grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. East Indian Lemongrass is native to India, Sri Lanka, Burma, and Thailand. In cooler regions, grow East Indian Lemongrass as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
East Indian Lemongrass is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Cymbopogon genus — compare its care with other Cymbopogon species on PlantoScan.
Cymbopogon is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
East Indian Lemongrass thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Cymbopogon Species
Other Cymbopogon species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees ex Steud.) Will.Watson, family Poaceae (first published in Gaz. N. W. Ind. 10: 392 (1882)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list East Indian Lemongrass, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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