Lemongrass was treated with warm water at 52°C or 55°C for 3 or 5 min followed by hydrocooling at 3°C for 5 min. After cutting lemongrass at a length of 20 cm, the stems were packed in polyethylene bags and kept at 5°C, 90±5% RH, for 15 days. Heat treatments significantly reduced the telescoping symptom (the elongation of the inner most leaves, typical of fresh-cut lemongrass) compared with non-heat treatment (control). However, only the treatment at 55°C for 5 min completely inhibited the telescoping symptom. Carbon dioxide and ethylene levels inside the packages reached a maximum at the 3rd day of storage. Treatment at 55°C for 5 min resulted in the lowest ethylene and carbon dioxide concentrations.