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Lemongrass and lemon essential oil smell alike, but they're completely different oils. Lemon is cold-pressed from the peel of a citrus fruit. It's gentle on skin but can make skin sensitive to the sun. Lemongrass is steam distilled from a tropical grass. It doesn't cause sun sensitivity, but it's much stronger on skin, so I keep it at 0.7% or less.
Below is a side-by-side comparison, when I reach for each one, whether you can swap them, and 3 recipes that use them together. For my full lemongrass profile, see my lemongrass diffuser blends and essential oil guide. Jump to the recipes.
Why Lemongrass and Lemon Smell Alike
Lemongrass gets its lemony scent from citral, a natural aroma compound. Lemon's scent comes mostly from limonene. They overlap enough that your nose reads both as "lemon," but side by side they're easy to tell apart:
- Lemon smells like a freshly cut lemon: juicy, sparkling and sharp. It's a top note, so it fades fairly quickly.
- Lemongrass smells like lemon candy with a green, grassy, slightly earthy edge. It's stronger and lingers longer.
Lemongrass vs Lemon Essential Oil Compared
| Lemongrass | Lemon | |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Cymbopogon flexuosus or Cymbopogon citratus | Citrus limon |
| Plant family | Poaceae (grasses) | Rutaceae (citrus) |
| Part used | Leaves | Peel |
| Extraction | Steam distilled | Usually cold-pressed; also sold steam distilled |
| Main aroma compound | Citral (geranial and neral) | Limonene |
| Scent and note | Lemony, grassy, earthy; top to middle note | Bright, juicy, crisp; top note |
| Traditionally used for | Uplifting mood, focus, tired muscles, outdoor blends | Cheerful mood, focus, freshening the air, cleaning |
| Max on skin | 0.7% | Cold-pressed: 2% if skin will see sun. Steam distilled: no sun limit. |
| Sun sensitivity | No | Yes, if cold-pressed |
| Skin sensitization risk | Moderate, higher when old | Low when fresh, higher when old |
| Kids | Diffuse around kids 6+; skin use for adults | Kid-friendly at 1% |
| Shelf life | 2 to 3 years | 1 to 2 years |
The Biggest Difference: Opposite Skin Cautions
- Lemon's risk is the sun. Cold-pressed lemon on skin above 2% can cause redness, blistering or dark patches when that skin sees sun or tanning beds within 12 hours. Steam-distilled lemon doesn't do this. Here's my photosensitive essential oils guide.
- Lemongrass's risk is the skin itself. It isn't sun-sensitizing, but it can irritate skin and cause sensitization over time, so it stays at 0.7% or less: 1 drop in a 10 ml roller.
- Both oxidize. Use them fresh, keep caps tight and store them cool and dark.
When I Reach for Lemongrass
- In the diffuser, when I want a fresh scent with more depth than plain citrus. See my lemongrass diffuser blends.
- In a massage oil or roller for tired muscles, at just a drop.
- In outdoor blends for the patio.
- In daytime skin blends when I want a lemony scent without sun worries, as long as I keep it tiny.
More ideas in my lemongrass essential oil uses.
When I Reach for Lemon
- For cleaning. Lemon is my top pick for counters, sinks and the kitchen. See lemon essential oil for cleaning.
- In kid-friendly diffuser blends and lotions.
- In bright, cheerful diffuser blends. Try my lemon diffuser blends.
- In skin care, using steam-distilled lemon for daytime or cold-pressed lemon at night.
More in my lemon essential oil spotlight.
Can You Substitute Lemongrass and Lemon?
In a diffuser or room spray: yes, swap drop for drop. Lemongrass is stronger, so you may want a drop less.
On skin: be careful.
- Swapping lemon for lemongrass: cut way back. A roller with 4 drops of lemon should get only 1 drop of lemongrass. Fill out the rest with a gentle oil like lavender.
- Swapping lemongrass for lemon: fine, but if it's cold-pressed lemon over 2%, keep that skin out of the sun for 12 hours. Steam-distilled lemon avoids this.
For other swaps, see my essential oil substitution chart.
Lemongrass and Lemon Recipes
They're even better together. Lemon brings sparkle and lemongrass adds depth.
Clear and Fresh Diffuser Blend
Adults and kids 6+
- 3 drops lemongrass
- 2 drops lemon
- 2 drops lime
Method: Add to a 100 to 200 ml diffuser with water to the fill line. Diffuse for 30 to 60 minutes in a ventilated room, with a door open so pets can leave.
Lemon and Lemongrass Counter Spray
For surfaces, not skin
- 1/2 cup distilled water
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 10 drops lemon
- 5 drops lemongrass
- 8 oz glass spray bottle
Method: Add the essential oils and vodka to the bottle and swirl, then add the water. The alcohol helps the oils disperse. Shake before each use, spray and wipe. Test a small spot first on wood or painted surfaces, and keep pets out of the room while you spray.
Bright Day Roller (2.5%)
Adults
- 1 drop lemongrass
- 2 drops lemon
- 2 drops lavender
- 10 ml roller bottle topped with jojoba oil
Method: Add the oils, top with jojoba and shake. Roll onto your wrists or the back of your neck for a cheerful lift. Lemon is at 1% here, under the 2% sun-safety limit for cold-pressed lemon, so it's fine for daytime. Patch test first.
How to Tell What You're Buying
- Check the botanical name. Look for Citrus limon or a Cymbopogon species on the label, not just "lemon scent."
- Check the extraction method on lemon. "Cold-pressed" or "expressed" means it can cause sun sensitivity. "Steam distilled" means it won't.
- Date your bottles. Citrus oils like lemon go off fastest, so buy small bottles you'll use within a year or two.
More tips in how to choose quality essential oils.
Keep Exploring
- Lemongrass diffuser blends and essential oil guide
- Lemongrass essential oil uses and recipes
- Lemon essential oil spotlight
- Lavender and lemongrass essential oil recipes
- Can you mix lemongrass and peppermint oil?
Shop my Aromatherapy Supply Kits and grab one of my free essential oil guides.
