Cymbopogon (lemongrass) is a genus of about 55 species of grasses, native to warm temperate and tropical regions of the Old World and Australia. They are belonging to Poaceae Family.

The genus name Cymbopogon is derived from Greek kymbe: boat and pogon: beard (it refers to the boat-shaped spathes and the many-eared inflorescences which reminding a beard).

Two species of the Cymbopogon genus are well known as Lemon Grass and used widely; Cymbopogon flexuosus: East-Indian Lemon Grass also called Malabar grass is a tall perennial grass, native to India, Sri Lanka, Burma, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. Cymbopogon citratus: West-Indian lemon grass is native to Southeast Asia; Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines. While both can be used interchangeably, Cymbopogon citratus is more suited for cooking; it is used both as a medical herb and in perfumes in India.

Cymbopogon flexuosus–East Indian Lemongrass is one of the two main sources of lemongrasses often cultivated, both in gardens and commercially. It is an aromatic, evergreen, clump-forming, perennial grass; producing numerous, erect stems up to 3 metres tall from a short, thick rhizome. Culms are erect, 200–300 cm long. Culm-internodes are distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths are also glabrous on surface. Inflorescence is compound, paniculate, 30–60 cm long.

Cymbopogon flexuosus prefers a moisture-retentive, fertile soil in full sun. Grass can be killed by temperatures of 5°C or lower. In areas with a cool season, the plant may die back above ground and perennate through its rhizomes when the warm weather came. Propagation is done either by dividing the rootball or from seed.

Commercial production: At commercial fields; first harvest can be taken at about 90-120 days after planting out, and thereafter every 40-60 days for about 6 years. Average yield is about 20-40 kg oil per hektar, per year. An essential oil, obtained from the plant called Citronella oil; is highly aromatic with a lemon-like aroma and flavour. The principal chemical constituents of citronella, geraniol and citronellol, are antiseptics, hence their use in household disinfectants and soaps.This inflorescences oil is produced by steam distillation of the freshly cut leaves, or it can be extracted using alcohol.

Uses: Lemongrass has a subtle citrus flavor and can be dried and powdered, or used fresh. It is often used by the food industry as flavouring in foods such as ice creams, baked goods, oils, candies, chewing gum and in soaps.  It is widely used as an herb in Asian cuisine. It is often used as a tea in African countries. Also; this oil is used in perfumes, detergent and as an insect repellent (especially mosquitos); in insect sprays and candles, and also in aromatherapy. The dried leaves are often used as an aromatic herb tea.

Research shows that lemongrass oil has anti-fungal properties. The oil has a promising anticancer activity and causes loss in tumor cell viability by activating the apoptotic process as identified by electron microscopy.

Use in Landscape: There is not much use in landscapes. But it is an essential element for a herb garden. Can be cultivated at the gardens of restorants and hotels to be used fresh.