Lemon grass grows fast in warm weather and fills a pot with aromatic, strappy foliage you can harvest for tea, cooking, or just the scent on your hands. Sold in quart containers ready to plant out once the soil warms in March or later.

Give it full sun and let it dry between waterings—it's tougher than it looks. Snip leaves as needed through the growing season and enjoy fresh flavor all summer long.