Herb
Can you grow Lemongrass on a balcony?
Cymbopogon citratus
Yes — grows well in pots
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) grows well on a balcony in a suitable container. It needs full sun — around 6+ hours of direct sun a day. Harvest when stalks reach about 30-45cm (12-18in) tall and the base is about 1cm thick; twist off an outer stem at the base.. All figures below are sourced from RHS and the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Sun
☀️ Full sun (6+ h)
Water
Medium
Difficulty
Moderate
Hardiness
USDA 9-11 (grown as an annual in Zone 8 and colder)
Container fit
Good
Sow
Propagate by seed sown at 13-18C in early spring, or by division in late spring; fresh cooking stalks will often root in water. Best planted in a container so it can be brought indoors in autumn.
Harvest
Harvest when stalks reach about 30-45cm (12-18in) tall and the base is about 1cm thick; twist off an outer stem at the base.
Good companions: Grown mainly on its own; pairs with other heat-loving herbs
Balcony tip: Grow in a pot of loam-based compost in a warm, sunny spot in summer, then move indoors over winter - it needs temperatures of at least 13C (55F) to thrive.
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What size pot does Lemongrass need?
Container size for Lemongrass isn't specified by our sources for a single value — as a rule, give roots room and don't let a small pot dry out. Check the linked RHS/Almanac page.
How much sun does Lemongrass need on a balcony?
Lemongrass wants full sun — about 6+ hours of direct sun daily. Match it to your balcony's aspect before buying seed.
When do you sow Lemongrass?
Propagate by seed sown at 13-18C in early spring, or by division in late spring; fresh cooking stalks will often root in water. Best planted in a container so it can be brought indoors in autumn.. Timing shifts with your climate/USDA zone — the linked sources give the detail.
Sources & date
- RHS: Lemongrass
- Old Farmer's Almanac: Lemongrass
- Data as of: 2026-07-10
- Container sizes and timings are guidance — adjust to your climate/USDA zone and balcony aspect.