The first harvest of lemon grass is taken about 90 days after planting. Subsequent harvests at taken at intervals of 40-50 days. The grass is cut by leaving 10 – 15 cm above the ground level.

The optimum interval between harvests to obtain maximum quantity of oil is 40-60 days.

The crop flowers during November-December and the seeds are collected during January-February. The crop for seed production is left without cutting to get maximum seeds.

The whole panicle is cut and dried for one or two days and then threshed and sieved to collect the seeds. Oil is extracted either by water or steam distillation method.