Will lemongrass grow on my dry marginal land and what soil and climate does it need?

Lemongrass is one of the best aromatic crops for dry, marginal and sloping land. It is drought tolerant once established, grows on poor, light, even slightly degraded soils, tolerates a wide pH (roughly 5.5 to 7.5), and is well suited to rainfed and wasteland conditions where field crops fail. It likes warm, sunny, humid to subhumid climates and grows from sea level up to moderate hills. It does not like heavy waterlogging or frost. Because the strong lemon aroma deters grazing animals and most pests, it is a good choice for unprotected or remote plots. Plant slips (rooted tillers) at the start of the rains, keep spacing around 30 to 60 cm, and it establishes with minimal care. On better soil with some irrigation you get more cuttings and more grass, but its real value is turning low-grade land that earns nothing into a multi-year aromatic crop. The honest caveat is that the land being suitable is only half the story: you still need a distillation arrangement and a confirmed oil buyer for it to pay. Sort the market side before you plant a large area.