What does lemongrass smell like in perfume? Lemongrass smells lemony, grassy and fresh, like a sunny meadow with a squeeze of lemon. It is greener and warmer than lemon peel, and lasts a little longer on skin.
| Botanical name | Cymbopogon flexuosus |
|---|---|
| Plant part | Leaves and stems of the grass |
| Origin | India and Guatemala |
| Extraction | Steam distillation |
| Note | Heart |
| Scent family | Citrus & Fresh |
| Odour | Lemony, grassy and fresh, with a warm herbal undertone |
| Perfume uses | Fresh colognes, green and aromatic blends |
| Key molecules | Citral (geranial and neral), geraniol |
| Odour impact | High |
| Odour life on a strip | Short: a few hours |
| Found in | A Capella Ray |
Used within IFRA limits. Impact and odour life are our own studio guide, judged on a smelling strip.
What Is Lemongrass?
Lemongrass oil is distilled from the leaves of a tall tropical grass, Cymbopogon flexuosus. It is rich in citral, the same molecule that gives lemon its sharp scent, which is why it smells so strongly of citrus despite being a grass.
What Does Lemongrass Smell Like?
Here is how strongly each facet of lemongrass comes through, from our own smelling-strip notes.
Lemony
Vivid citral brightness.
Grassy
Fresh-cut, green and sunny.
Herbal
A warm, slightly earthy herb note.
Sweet
A faint, soft sweetness in the dry-down.
How Perfumers Use Lemongrass
Perfumers use lemongrass to add a green, lemony lift that outlasts true citrus. It works well in fresh colognes and aquatic blends, and a small touch can energise a herbal or woody heart.
A powerful citrus note
Because lemongrass is so rich in citral, a few drops go a long way. Citral is a known skin sensitiser, so it is carefully regulated and listed as an allergen.
Smell Lemongrass in Prosody London Perfumes
For lemongrass at its most expressive, try A Capella Ray. Lemongrass bridges a bright citrus opening into jasmine in this fresh, zesty cologne.
A Capella RayWhat Blends Well With Lemongrass?
Questions About Lemongrass
Is lemongrass a citrus?
No, it is a grass, but its citral content makes it smell lemony.
Does lemongrass last longer than lemon?
Yes, it lingers a little longer, into the heart of a fragrance.
Is lemongrass safe in perfume?
Yes, within IFRA limits. Its citral is listed as an allergen.
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