When to plant lemongrass in Illinois
Illinois spans USDA zones 5a–7a, so the right time to plant lemongrass shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about April 18 in Granite City to May 15 in McHenry — below are local dates for 226 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 6a | April 10 | November 5 | April 24 – May 1 |
| Aurora | 5b | April 19 | October 23 | May 3 – May 10 |
| Naperville | 5b | April 28 | October 16 | May 12 – May 19 |
| Joliet | 5b | April 19 | October 25 | May 3 – May 10 |
| Rockford | 5b | April 24 | October 17 | May 8 – May 15 |
| Elgin | 5b | April 26 | October 18 | May 10 – May 17 |
| Springfield | 6a | April 15 | October 22 | April 29 – May 6 |
| Peoria | 6a | April 16 | October 23 | April 30 – May 7 |
Lemongrass in Illinois: FAQ
When can I plant lemongrass in Illinois?
Across Illinois, the time to transplant lemongrass spans roughly April 18 in Granite City to May 15 in McHenry, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the lemongrass planting date vary across Illinois?
Yes. Illinois publishes 226 cities with their own frost dates, so the right lemongrass planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
Never miss a window in your area
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to your frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.