Lemongrass is a popular herb known for its bright green stalks and refreshing lemony flavor But does this sun-loving plant also grow in the shade? I explored this question and want to share what I learned about growing lemongrass in shady conditions,
Lemongrass Performs Best in Full Sun
In its native tropical habitat lemongrass thrives in hot humid environments with full sun exposure. The intense light maximizes growth and brings out the strongest lemon flavors in the leaves. Given the choice, lemongrass grows best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Morning sun is especially beneficial.
If you live in a climate with extreme midday heat some afternoon shade can prevent leaf scorching. But aim for as much direct sun as possible for optimal lemongrass growth. Full sun allows the plants to produce the energy they need through photosynthesis.
It Can Tolerate Light Shade
While lemongrass prefers full sunlight, it can adapt and grow fairly well in light shade. Light shade refers to partially shaded spots that receive 4-6 hours of filtered sunlight per day. Dappled sunlight shining through tree leaves can work well, since the shade shifts throughout the day. Just avoid dense shade where lemongrass gets less than 4 hours of sun.
In light shade, lemongrass may become leggy and produce smaller stalks. The leaves also tend to be lighter green instead of deep green. Flowering and lemon flavor decrease in very shady sites. But the plants can still survive and grow in light shade.
Modifying Sites for More Sunlight
If your yard only offers dense shade, you can modify conditions to improve light for lemongrass:
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Prune overhanging tree branches to allow more sunshine to penetrate. Avoid excessive pruning that damages tree health.
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Position lemongrass on the sunnier side of taller plants or structures providing afternoon shade.
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Grow lemongrass in movable containers that can shift to capture sunlight.
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Use shade cloths to block harsh midday light while allowing morning/evening sun.
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Supplement with grow lights if needed to increase light levels.
Even minor adjustments can make a shadier area better for lemongrass growth. Monitor the plants and tweak conditions as needed.
Why Lemongrass Tolerates Shade
While lemongrass strongly prefers full sun, some of its other growth habits make it moderately shade-tolerant:
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Shallow roots – Lemongrass has short surface roots that efficiently absorb moisture and nutrients near the soil surface, even in shade.
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Large leaves – The long strap-like leaves maximize light capture with more surface area for photosynthesis in low light.
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Light-sensitive flowers – The pinkish blooms reflect sunlight instead of absorbing it, preventing overheating in shade.
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Forest origin – Lemongrass naturally grows along partly shaded forest edges in Asia.
These traits allow lemongrass to cope with shade better than many sun-loving herbs.
Benefits of Partial Shade
While insufficient sunlight will limit lemongrass growth, partial shade does offer some benefits:
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Reduces leaf sunscald, wilting, and drought stress
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Lowers soil temperature to conserve moisture
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Protects from strong winds and storms
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Shelters from extreme midday heat and sun
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Avoids premature flowering/bolting
A little shade provides a respite from intense light and heat. Just don’t overdo it.
Growing Tips for Lemongrass in Shade
If your yard is mostly shaded, here are some tips to help your lemongrass survive:
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Plant shade-tolerant varieties like ‘Malabar’
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Use large movable containers to increase sun exposure
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Keep soil consistently moist and mulch to retain water
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Apply organic fertilizer to provide nutrients
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Prune regularly to improve air circulation
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Control pests and diseases exacerbated by shade
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Thin overhanging trees or use shade cloth to boost light
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Bring indoors if outdoor light is too low
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Accept slower growth as a tradeoff for shade benefits
With patience and care, you can grow lemongrass in partial shade areas.
Alternative Shade-Loving Herbs
If lemongrass still struggles, consider substituting these shade-tolerant herbs instead:
- Mint
- Lemon balm
- Parsley
- Chives
- Thyme
- Tarragon
- Chervil
These plants share lemongrass’ ability to survive in low light conditions.
Chives, Green Onions, & Shallots
The next group of herbs comes from the Amaryllidaceae family, or the onion plant family. Now, you dont want to try to grow bulbs underground with less than 6 hours of sun, but the green tops grow great in shade.
Garlic and onion chives both work so well along the border of a raised bed. They come back year after year and will give you so many delicious harvests. Chives are such a no-brainer because theyre ridiculously easy to grow and thrive in sun or shade. The same goes for green onions and scallions when you grow them for their leaves.
Rather than start these by seed, you can buy little baby plants from your local nursery or plant out bulbs.
The final group of herbs comes from the Asteraceae family, or daisy plant family. Chamomile and calendula both do great in the shade, even though theyre flowering herbs. Theyll just grow slower in shade than they would if they had more sunshine.
Chamomile, of course, can be used to make chamomile tea, and you can use calendula for salves, tinctures, and tea. I love having calendula in the garden for pest control. Its what we call a trap crop, so it distracts pests that would otherwise go for your leafy greens like lettuce and kale.
Cilantro, Dill, & Parsley
Lets start with herbs from the Apiaceae family, AKA the carrot family. Cilantro, dill, and parsley are three of my favorite herbs from the garden to use in the kitchen.
This trio shares similar growth habits. First, they love cooler weather. They thrive when the temps range from 35 to 65°F. They also love it when its not too sunny and bright. If youve ever had cilantro or dill go straight to flower, it was likely too hot and sunny for their liking.
With that in mind, if youve got a completely covered patio or shady balcony, cilantro, dill, and parsley could be your new best friends. They dont mind the shade one bit. My two back raised beds are completely shaded by the woods behind my house at this time of year, and my parsley, dill, and cilantro plants growing there are popping, especially the parsley, which came back from the winter.
If you havent grown any of these herbs before, picture a carrot with its long taproot and tall spray of leaves. These herbs grow very similar. They send down a little taproot and grow more vertically than horizontally. That means you can grow 4 to 6 Apiaceae herbs in 1 square foot of space.
These herbs are easy to grow from seed. Cilantro and dill will last one season, while parsley can spend several seasons in your garden.
Summary: You can grow cilantro, dill and parsley in the shade, I promise.
10 Vegetables and Herbs PERFECT for SHADE Garden Spots
FAQ
Can lemongrass grow in full shade?
Lemongrass is a tall, hardy plant which grows in clumps up to about three feet in height. Generally the plant prefers full sunlight but will grow reasonably well in part shade.
How many hours of sun does lemongrass need?
Lemongrass needs at least 6 hours of sunlight, so add a plant light if needed. Don’t let the water dry up.
Where is the best place to plant lemongrass?
Lemongrass likes it hot, so grow it in an area with full sun and fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0.
Does lemongrass come back every year?
Lemongrass is a reliable perennial grass that survives normal winters in Mississippi hardiness zones 8b and 9a. However, it is perfectly happy and productive when planted as an annual or in containers in north Mississippi. I actually grow lemongrass in containers in my Ocean Springs garden.
Can lemongrass grow in shade?
Lemongrass grows at its best at temperatures between 75F and 86F, though it can tolerate temperatures down to about 64F. Be warned – it can be killed by temperatures lower than 50F. It cannot tolerate shade. Whether you grow it in the ground or in containers, it will need a free-draining medium to grow in. It does not like to have ‘wet feet’.
Does lemongrass need full sun?
If you’ve never grown lemongrass before but want to give it a try, you might be wondering whether this useful herb needs full sun or whether it can survive in the shade. Lemongrass needs around 6 hours of sunlight daily. As it’s a tropical plant, it likes a hot and humid growing environment and will thrive in a bright, sunny spot.
Can you plant lemongrass indoors?
Wait until danger of frost has passed before planting lemongrass, preferably once nighttime temperatures consistently hit 60 degrees. To start from seed indoors, sow in flats three weeks before the last frost in your growing zone. Choose a spot in full sun with good drainage. Lemongrass won’t grow well in clay and needs rich, fertile, loose soil.
Is lemongrass drought tolerant?
Lemongrass is not drought-tolerant and requires regular irrigation throughout the growing season. A 3-inch layer of mulch conserves soil moisture. Potted plants may need to be watered daily. Protect lemongrass from freezing temperatures, as it is frost-sensitive and won’t survive temperatures below 15 degrees.
Can you grow lemongrass from seed?
Whether you grow it in the ground or in containers, it will need a free-draining medium to grow in. It does not like to have ‘wet feet’. If you cannot source lemongrass plants easily where you live, you can use stems from the stores to regrow lemongrass. You can of course also grow lemongrass from seed. Here is one of our favorite sources of seeds.
Is Lemongrass a perennial?
To maintain lemongrass as a perennial in temperate zones, plant it in containers that can be moved indoors in winter. Large container plants can be sheared down to six inches and kept in a basement or unheated garage. They won’t need much except an occasional watering. Bring plants indoors when nighttime temperatures drop below 50 degrees.