Question
I have two large lemon grass plants. I live in Indianapolis. Do you know if lemon grass is hardy enough to survive winter here? When I purchased it, I was told that it was a perennial. However, a couple of other people I've spoken to say no. Who is right?

Answer
Terry,
Here is what my research turned up on Lemon Grass and unless you live in zones 10 or 11 I would certainly consider this plant an annual and will not survive our winters:

When buying lemon grass fresh, be sure to check the bases to see if there are any vestiges of roots. If so, you have a bonus -- you can take this stalk and start your own lemon grass plant. Place the root end in water with a bit of plant food and wait until the roots develop. Plant in an area that gets full sun but is protected from the wind.

Being a native of the tropics, lemon grass prefers a sandy soil and plenty of moisture. It is a member of the grass family (Gramineae) and is considered a tender perennial. Outside of the tropics it is treated as an annual, since it is sensitive to frost. It grows well in pots (they prefer a lot of room). This way, you can transfer the pots to a green house over the winter in colder areas.

Like most grasses, lemon grass is a quick grower, getting up to 6' tall under ideal conditions: outside the tropics it will grow to about 3'. It will even grow indoors with sufficient light and heat.

I find that lemon grass, with its delicate, long green leaves and ivory bases, adds an attractive contrast to the other plants in my herb garden. Its summertime flowers are green clusters tinged with red on the end of a curving stalk.
Unfortunately, these are usually seen only in its native lands where conditions are ideal. As the lemon grass grows, it sends out new stalks from the central base. Once these are about 2 1/2" long and 3/4" wide at the base, they are ready to use. To harvest from your plant, just cut off the stalks you need leaving the rest to continue to grow -- a bit of the tropics in your own back yard.