Native Lemongrass

Native Lemongrass (Cymbopogon ambiguus) is a clumping Australian grass that grows to about 1m tall and 60cm wide, with very fine, hair-like green-grey leaves that carry a lemon scent. It thrives in full sun, poor soil and long dry spells, and it binds banks and revegetation plantings as readily as it settles into a bushland garden. Despite the name it is an ornamental native grass, not the culinary lemongrass used in the kitchen.

Why you'll love it

• Built for dry, poor ground. It grows in full sun and in dry, impoverished soils, and the roots survive drought once the plant is established.
• Lemon scented foliage. Brush past a clump and the citrus scent rises, which makes it a natural for paths, courtyards and sensory gardens.
• A good bank binder. That is why it turns up in erosion control and revegetation projects, from slopes to verges and roadsides.
• An authentic bushland look. Fine grey-green clumps with seedheads like strands of barbed wire add texture beside broader leaved natives.
• Low maintenance. Once established it needs very little beyond one tidy up in late winter.

Where it works best

Slopes, banks and verges. Plant 50cm apart in staggered rows. The clumps knit together to hold the surface, and the fine leaves keep a bank looking natural rather than engineered.

Native and bushland gardens. Plant in drifts of five or more at 50cm spacing, or scatter single clumps through other natives for a loose, informal effect.

Revegetation and dry sites. Across large areas, tube stock is the economical way to cover ground. It copes with the hot, dry, exposed positions where many plants fail.

Paths and sensory spaces. Set a few clumps beside a path or seat so passers-by brush the leaves and release the scent.

Growing Native Lemongrass in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun. The roots survive drought once the plant is established, but young plants need protection from frost, so in cooler areas plant in spring and shelter them through their first winter. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, Mediterranean and arid or semi arid gardens.

Soil. Dry and impoverished soils are fine, including sand, gravel and shallow ground. Rich soil is unnecessary.

Water and feed. Water deeply each week through the first summer so the roots go down, then leave it to the weather. In poor soil it does not need fertiliser.

Pruning. Chop off the old seedheads and any tired leaves in late winter to make room for fresh spring growth. That is the only job it needs each year.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Native Lemongrass as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tubes are the economical choice for banks, verges and large plantings, while the 140mm pots give a more developed clump from day one. Plants travel upright and settle quickly in warm soil.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse our grasses and strappy leaf plants
• More Australian native plants
• Plants for retaining walls and slopes
• Ornamental grasses for Australian gardens, a design guide

Common questions

Is it the same as the lemongrass I cook with?

No. Native Lemongrass is a different species, grown as an ornamental and revegetation grass. Its leaves are fine and hair-like, so buy culinary lemongrass separately for the kitchen.

How far apart should I plant it?

Plant 50cm apart for a dense mass planting that knits together, or up to 1m apart for a looser, more natural look among other natives.

When do I cut it back?

In late winter, remove the old seedheads and any tired leaves. This clears space for new spring growth and keeps the clump neat, and no other pruning is needed.