Cymbopogon flexuosus - East Indian Lemongrass - €7 per plant 

Cymbopogon flexuosus is another variety of Lemon Grass that can be used for cooking, the most commonly known variety being Cymbopogon citratus. The leaves and stems are used in cooking and for making herbal tea that is used to ease stomach cramps.  Plants grow to a height of about 1.2m with arching, blue-green lemon-scented leaves, making a nice contrast to other plants. There are magenta flowers in summer. Grows best in full sun to partial shade and most well drained soils.  The plants are frost tender, so they can be grown in pots and brought indoors To order this plant please contact us [email protected]

Context

  • native region: India, Burma, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
  • habitat: often cultivated as a garden plant throughout the tropics as well as in its native area. 
  • family: Poaceae
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Predators

  • None known

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Full sun or partial shade
  • soil pH:  Acid, neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 8 - 11
  • Prefers moist soil
  • Prefers well drained soil

Known hazards 

  • May h​arm dogs, cats and other wildlife.

Overview

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  • Perennial grass  growing to 1.5m x 1m at a fast rate​
  • It is in flower from June - August
  • The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Wind.​
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. 
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. 
  • It can grow in semi-shade or no shade. 
  • It prefers moist, well drained soil.

Characteristics

  • form: herbaceous perennial grass
  • layer : Herb Layer 
  • habit: clump forming 
  • height x width (m): 1.5 x 1

Products 

  • Leaves: Sheathing, green but sometimes tinged purple/blue. They are smooth but hairy at the junction with the blade. Arching in nature and very sweetly-scented. The leaves and stems are used in cooking and for making herbal tea.  
  • Medicinal: Many medicinal uses but most know  to calm and relieve the cramping and colic associated with digestive problems. In India it has also been used as a topical application to treat fungal infections like ringworm.

Functions/behaviours

  • ​May be planted in containers or pots so that the plant can be moved indoors during winter. 
  • Germination can be erratic, so sow more seeds than you need. 
  • Removing dead leaves as necessary and dividing plants about every three years. 
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project