East Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus)

Cymbopogon flexuosus, East Indian or Cochin lemongrass, is the grass grown in Kerala and other states for lemongrass oil, rich in citral. That oil scents soaps, perfumes and cleaning products, and citral is a starting material for making vitamin A and ionones. It is a close cousin of the kitchen lemongrass, Cymbopogon citratus, but grown mainly for oil.

Botanical name: Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees ex Steud.) W.Watson
Family: Poaceae
Tamil: Elumichai pullu
Hindi: Rohisha
Parts used: Leaf, Distilled oil
Habit: East Indian lemongrass; English lemon grass is a shop word
Last updated: 2026-10-30

How to recognise East Indian lemongrass

It is a tall, clumping perennial grass with long, narrow, drooping leaves that smell strongly of lemon when crushed.

It flowers more readily than kitchen lemongrass, producing tall, nodding, branched flower heads, which is what flexuosus refers to.

The leaf bases are reddish or purplish in some varieties.

Kitchen lemongrass, Cymbopogon citratus, rarely flowers in India and has thicker, whitish stem bases used in cooking.

Traditional use of East Indian lemongrass

Oil trade

Lemongrass oil was distilled in Kerala for export from the nineteenth century and sold as Cochin oil.

Kerala trade history

Household

Leaves are brewed as a tea and used to scent homes.

Indian household practice

Modern notes on East Indian lemongrass

Lemongrass oil is used in perfumery, cosmetics and insect repellents, and citral from it is used to synthesise ionones and vitamin A.

Research institutes in India have bred high-citral varieties for oil farmers.

East Indian lemongrass safety

Leaf tea in normal amounts is common. Do not swallow the essential oil, and dilute it before applying to skin.

Ecology and sourcing

It is native to India and Sri Lanka and is cultivated in Kerala, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and other states.

It grows on poor, sloping land and helps prevent soil erosion.

It is harvested several times a year for distillation.

Related plants

Also in Poaceae

Questions about East Indian lemongrass

Is East Indian lemongrass kitchen lemongrass?

No. Kitchen lemongrass is Cymbopogon citratus.

What is citral?

The lemon-scented compound that makes up most of the oil.

Why Cochin lemongrass?

The oil was exported from Cochin in Kerala.

Can East Indian lemongrass be used in cooking?

The leaves can flavour teas and soups, but the kitchen species is usually C. citratus.

How is the oil made?

Leaves are steam-distilled soon after cutting.

Sources

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.