Troubleshooting
Lemongrass problems — and how to fix them
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Slow start
Needs heat; wait until soil is above 18°C.
Frost damage
Tender — bring indoors or dig clump in autumn.
Browning leaf tips
Tap-water sensitivity or low humidity.
Pot-bound in containers
Divide and pot up annually.
Spider mites indoors
Rinse foliage and raise humidity.
Prevent lemongrass problems before they start
Most lemongrass issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Lemongrass problems — FAQ
Why is my lemongrass slow start?
Needs heat; wait until soil is above 18°C.
Why is my lemongrass frost damage?
Tender — bring indoors or dig clump in autumn.
Why is my lemongrass browning leaf tips?
Tap-water sensitivity or low humidity.
Why is my lemongrass pot-bound in containers?
Divide and pot up annually.
Why is my lemongrass spider mites indoors?
Rinse foliage and raise humidity.