Does lemongrass tea have caffeine? No — pure lemongrass tea is naturally caffeine-free. It is a herbal tisane brewed from the fragrant lemongrass plant (Cymbopogon), not from the leaves of Camellia sinensis, the true tea plant that actually contains caffeine. That botanical difference is a big part of why this bright, citrusy cup has become such a popular any-time drink and a soothing choice in the evening.
If you are watching your caffeine intake or simply want something calming after dinner, a plain cup of lemongrass tea is one of the easiest caffeine-free options to reach for. Below we unpack why it contains none, why it can still feel refreshing, and the one situation where a drink sold as "lemongrass tea" can quietly bring caffeine into your cup.
Does Lemongrass Tea Have Caffeine? The Short Answer
To restate it plainly: pure lemongrass tea is caffeine free. The answer to "does lemongrass have caffeine" is no, because caffeine is a compound produced by only a handful of plants — most famously the tea plant and the coffee plant — and lemongrass is not one of them. When you steep dried or fresh lemongrass on its own, there is simply no caffeine present to extract into the water, no matter how long or how hot you brew it.
That puts lemongrass firmly among the classic caffeine-free herbal infusions, in the same easygoing company as chamomile, peppermint, hibiscus, rooibos and ginger. If you want the wider picture of that whole category, see our guide to caffeine-free tea.
Why Lemongrass Tea Has No Caffeine
The reason comes down to botany. "Tea," in the strict sense, means a drink made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis — the single plant behind green, black, white and oolong tea. Those leaves naturally contain caffeine, which is why every true tea carries some, with the amount shifting by type and brewing. You can dig into that in our explainer on whether tea contains caffeine.
Lemongrass, by contrast, is a tall, aromatic grass in the Cymbopogon genus, grown across tropical and subtropical regions and prized for its lemony oils. It is not related to the tea plant at all. When we call a lemongrass infusion "tea," we are using the word loosely — the more precise term is a herbal tea, or tisane, meaning any brew made from herbs, flowers, roots, spices or fruit rather than Camellia sinensis. Because lemongrass never contained caffeine to begin with, there is nothing to remove and nothing to decaffeinate: the lemongrass tea caffeine content is effectively zero from the first sip to the last.
Refreshing Without the Caffeine
People are sometimes surprised that a drink can feel so bright and invigorating with no stimulant behind it. Lemongrass has a zesty, citrus-lemon aroma with a whisper of ginger, and that lively scent and clean, tangy flavor can genuinely leave you feeling refreshed and a little more awake. But it is worth being clear about what is happening: that lift is sensory — the taste and the aroma — not a chemical jolt. There is no caffeine in lemongrass tea doing the work.
Think of it the way a splash of cool water on the face or a wedge of fresh citrus can perk you up: it sharpens the senses without adding to your daily caffeine load. That is a genuine plus if you love a flavorful drink but are sensitive to stimulants. Individual responses vary, and this is general information rather than medical advice.
The One Exception: Blends and Bottled Drinks
Here is the important caveat. While pure lemongrass tea is caffeine-free, not every product labeled "lemongrass" is pure lemongrass. Two common situations can add caffeine to the cup:
- Lemongrass blends with real tea. Many tea companies blend lemongrass into green tea or black tea for flavor — a "lemongrass green tea," for instance. Because the base is Camellia sinensis, these blends do contain caffeine, in an amount set by the true tea they are built on rather than by the lemongrass.
- Bottled and ready-to-drink products. Some canned or bottled lemongrass drinks, flavored iced teas and energy-style beverages are made with tea extract or added caffeine, while others are pure herbal infusions. From the front of the pack alone you often cannot tell which is which.
So if caffeine matters to you, read the ingredient list. If it names only lemongrass — perhaps alongside other herbs, ginger or lemon — you are looking at a caffeine-free cup. If it lists green tea, black tea, matcha or "caffeine," expect a real stimulant dose. When in doubt, brewing your own from loose lemongrass or a single-ingredient tea bag is the surest way to keep the caffeine in lemongrass tea at zero.
Lemongrass Tea vs True Teas and Coffee: Caffeine at a Glance
The table below shows where lemongrass sits next to the caffeinated drinks it often shares a shelf with. The numbers are rough, per typical cup, and vary widely by leaf, brand and brewing, so treat them as ballpark figures.
| Drink | Made from | Caffeine? | Rough caffeine per cup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pure lemongrass tea | Lemongrass (Cymbopogon) herb | No — caffeine-free | 0 mg |
| Green tea | Camellia sinensis | Yes | ~20-45 mg |
| Black tea | Camellia sinensis | Yes | ~40-70 mg |
| White tea | Camellia sinensis | Yes | ~15-30 mg |
| Oolong tea | Camellia sinensis | Yes | ~30-50 mg |
| Coffee (8 oz) | Coffee beans | Yes | ~80-100 mg |
| Lemongrass blend with green or black tea | Lemongrass + true tea | Yes — check the label | Varies with the tea |
The pattern is easy to read: anything grown from the tea plant or the coffee plant carries caffeine, while a pure herbal infusion like lemongrass does not.
Why People Choose Lemongrass Tea
Being caffeine-free is only part of the appeal. Lemongrass tea earns its place in the cupboard for a handful of everyday reasons:
- Good at any hour. With no stimulant to keep you up, you can enjoy it first thing in the morning, mid-afternoon or right before bed without touching your caffeine tally.
- Bright, clean flavor. Its lemony, faintly gingery character is refreshing on its own and pairs beautifully with honey, fresh ginger, mint or a squeeze of lemon.
- Hot or iced. Served warm it is gently soothing; poured over ice it becomes a crisp, thirst-quenching cooler for a hot afternoon.
- Naturally calorie-free. Unsweetened, it is little more than aromatic water — a flavorful alternative to plain water or sugary sodas.
It is also forgiving to brew at home: steep chopped fresh stalks or dried lemongrass — or a plain lemongrass tea bag — in just-boiled water for several minutes, then strain. Because there is no caffeine and very few harsh tannins, a longer steep only deepens the citrus flavor instead of turning the cup bitter.
A Light Note on Lemongrass and Wellness
Lemongrass has a long history in kitchens and traditional drinks around the world, and many people reach for it simply because it feels soothing and seems to settle the stomach after a meal. Any wellness talk here should stay gentle: these are traditional associations and general observations, not proven medical effects, and the evidence is limited. We keep the fuller discussion — and the specific benefits people look for — in our dedicated guide to lemongrass tea benefits.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or managing a health condition, it is worth checking with your own healthcare provider before making any herbal tea a daily habit. Responses vary from person to person, and nothing here is medical advice.
So, does lemongrass tea have caffeine? In its pure form, no — and that is exactly what makes it such a versatile, all-day and all-evening cup. Just remember the single catch: a lemongrass blend built on green or black tea, or a bottled drink made with tea extract, will carry caffeine. Read the label, and whenever the only botanical in your cup is lemongrass, you can pour yourself a bright, citrusy brew any time the mood strikes.