If you want an easy-growing herb that can be a versatile ingredient in the kitchen, then join me as I talk about how to grow lemongrass at home!
For anyone who isn’t familiar with lemongrass (umm you’re missing out), it’s a tropical herb with a light citrusy flavor. This herb has a wonderful natural aroma that you would want this plant within your reach.
One of my favorite things to do with this herb is adding it to plain white rice while it’s cooking. It brings such a refreshing and appetizing smell on what would normally just be a basic bowl of rice. Plus, it’s super easy!
Another thing you can do is try it with chicken. Lemongrass chicken is such a quick and easy dish to cook and you’ll see just how much this herb elevates the meat.
Aside from being a wonderful addition to all sorts of meals, this herb makes a kick-ass tea as well.
As a staple in Asian cuisines, it is not surprising that lemongrass is also mainly used for making teas.
Usually made from dried stalks, just boil some water and voila, a light citrus tea with just enough hints of tanginess is ready for you.
Aside from being a wonderful item in the kitchen, there’re tons of health benefits that you can get from lemongrass. It’s a wonderful source of essential vitamins such as; Vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, folate, and Vitamin C!
It also contains important minerals like iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, and calcium. It’s also well known that lemongrass has antioxidant properties that help rid your body of free radicals.
To list a few other health benefits; it has anti-inflammatory properties, promotes healthy digestion and helps regulate cholesterol.
Another thing, lemongrass is an effective natural pest repellent. Citronella, famously present in many insect repellants, can be found on lemongrass. It’s one of the natural oils that can be extracted from this herb.
A useful plant like this one will do great in your garden. Of course, I’m here to guide from planting to harvest!
Keep on reading for all the things you need to know about planting, growing and harvesting lemongrass.
How to Grow Your Own Kohlrabi
If you’re a budding gardener looking to grow your very first plant you’ve come to the right place.
Growing lemongrass is easy! This fast-growing herb will be ready for harvest in no time. I’m sure that you’ll have a fun time growing this one.
This plant requires very minimal care to grow successfully and deliver a hearty amount of quality harvest.
Plus, a single plant can last for years. With proper care and conditions, you might just have an endless supply of lemongrass ready to be cut for cooking.
Once you already have a thriving plant established, you’ll realize that this really is an herb worth growing.
Between the simple planting, easy-care, and uncomplicated harvest and storage, this one’s definitely a winner.
So any curious reader and amateur gardeners out there can definitely take on this challenge.
And you have me! I will do my best to help you from planting, growing and harvesting!
So just relax, I’ve got your back. I’ve made you a detailed guide to growing lemongrass at home so you’ll be sure that all the information you’ll ever need will be compiled here in one place.
All you need to do now is continue reading.
Good luck gardeners!
Planting Lemongrass
When is the best time to plant lemongrass?
I know you’re excited to start planting your lemongrass. I guess you probably already have your garden gears ready but before you start digging the dirt you should check your calendar first.
As always timing is an essential part of gardening.
Lemongrass is a sun-loving plant. True to its tropical nature, lemongrass thrives in an environment with as much light as possible. So you need to start planting either in early spring or summer while the soil is warming up.
If you do an early spring planting, grow it in a pot until the early summer as the soil warms. Alternatively, you can grow a stalk by placing it in water and putting it in a sunny spot so it can have all the sunlight it needs.
Should I use a lemongrass seed, lavender stalk or a nursery plant?
First off, do not start your lemongrass from seed. It’s tiring, slow, and often not rewarding.
Here’s the thing, there are two varieties of lemongrass; The East Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) and the West Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus).
The good lemongrass, the one you want and the variety that is used in the kitchen, very very rarely sets seed.
The seed-setting variety, on the other hand, is basically inferior, in my opinion. Be it taste or texture, the seed-setting variety is plainly not up to par with the other one.
Did you guess which is which? The good kind that I was talking about and the one we’ll use today is the West Indian lemongrass. We’ll be starting lemongrass from stalks.
The first thing you need to do is get a hold of some fresh lemongrass stalk. You can go to your local produce for some or you can get one online. This one from Amazon was super cheap and arrived in no time.
For the best lemongrass stalk, look at its basal plate. If it’s white, still looks fresh, and most importantly hasn’t hardened off (turned brown), it’s good for planting!
Another aspect to check is if it’s firm and green. Take note that well-established stalks are strong.
Good. Now you have the first thing you need for growing lemongrass. Next, let’s see where you should plant them.
Should I grow lemongrass in a pot or grow it in the ground?
Lemongrass is a tropical herb and therefore not winter hardy in colder climates. Due to this, it is best grown in containers like round pots. Today we’re planting West Indian lemongrass in pots!
Find a large pot, make sure it’s big enough, at least 12 inches across. A 5-gallon bucket works well for growing lemongrass.
Visit your local nursery to score some free durable pots or you can just order some online, for a faster and more convenient way.
Some pots in my garden are from Amazon and since I’ve been gardening for years now, it’s safe to say that these guys are indeed durable.
It’s a great buy and definitely worth your investment, they’re not that cheap anyway.
How do I prepare the soil for planting lemongrass?
Lemongrass thrives in a fertile free-draining moist soil and with a soil pH ranging from 5.0 to 8.0. Fast drainage is really important so a sandy soil will be perfect. Before planting, incorporate lots or quality mature compost.
A good quality multipurpose compost will do the trick.
How do I plant lemongrass?
Once you’ve found the perfect stems to propagate, trim them to about 10 to 15 cm long. Grab a small vase or any small container that can hold enough water at the bottom. Place the stem on the vase with water at the bottom.
Gardening tip! The warmer you can keep the water (preferably 20 – 25°), the faster the roots will actually grow. Keep it somewhere sunny, a north-facing windowsill will do. In about 2 weeks you’ll have roots coming off the basal plate. Now it’s ready to be planted in a container.
Assuming you’ve already put the multipurpose compost in the pot, it’s time to transfer. Dig a hole, about a thumb deep at the center of your pot. Carefully transfer the rooted stem on your container. The roots are very brittle at this time so make sure you handle the stem gently.
Remember, it’s vital to not damage the roots while potting the rooted stem. Pat the soil down and water. Keep it evenly moist. Place it in a sunny spot.
Gardening tip! Stand your pots in a saucer with plenty of pebbles so it could give off the needed moisture.
In just a few weeks you’ll have full-grown lemongrass. And a few weeks after that, you can start harvesting.
Growing Lemongrass
How and when do I thin my lemongrass plant?
We started from a stem so you don’t really need to thin your lemongrass plant. They can grow very tall though so I advise that you cut down the leaves to at least 3 feet.
Pruning it regularly will also help keep it on the size that you desire.
How much water does my lemongrass plant really need?
Your container-grown lemongrass plant needs to be watered regularly in order to maintain soil moisture. Add some mulch over the soil to hold moisture.
You can also place your pots on top of a saucer with pebbles. The stones will produce moisture for the soil.
Watering daily is recommended. Lemongrass thrives in moist soil, not soggy soil. Make sure the pot you used has enough draining holes in them to prevent boggy soils.
How often does my lemongrass plant needs to be fertilized?
Once your lemongrass is growing actively, it’s a good idea to feed it once a month with a high nitrogen fertilizer. This kind of fertilizer helps in leaf growth and that’s the boost your lemongrass will need.
How much sun does my lemongrass plant need?
Lemongrass needs full sun and should be placed in an area where it can receive a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Which climate better suits lemongrass? (Best Hardiness Zones)
Lemongrass is a tropical herb that thrives in a warmer climate. It needs warm, moist soil and a humid location.
Most lemongrass cultivars planted on the ground will stop growing once winter starts that is why it is suitable for container growing so you can place them indoors or in greenhouses once temperature drops.
The lemongrass we used today is sensitive to frost and only hardy in USDA zones 8b and 9.
Basically, cucumbers are generally suitable for the U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 through 11.
How long does it take to grow lemongrass?
Starting from the stem, expect 1 to 2 weeks for the roots to emerge while still on the container with water. During that first week, new leaves will also form at the top.
In just three weeks, its sizable roots signify that it’s ready for transferring. If you used one stalk in your pot, don;t be surprised how fast lemongrass can create its own offshoots as the stalk will divide itself.
I told you this was a low maintenance plant! One that’s even fast-growing.
If given the right soil, water and sun conditions, you can expect your fully grown lemongrass ready for harvest in just two to four months.
What are the common diseases and pests that could ruin my lemongrass plant and how do I avoid it?
Watching your lemongrass mature, you might worry about the pests or other diseases that might attack your plant.
However, there’s no need to panic. Lemongrass is packed with essential oils so many of the common pests wouldn’t come near it.
However, there are still some pests and diseases that you should be wary of. I’ve listed down some of the problems you might encounter down below and how you can deal with them:
- Aphids
Keep your garden clean. Aphids are soft-bodied insects that often appear in clumps. Always be on the lookout for these critters. They can come in black, brown, red or green colors. They will suck your plant’s juices and can transmit viral diseases.
To control, you can use registered chemicals in proper amounts as instructed. But I prefer the more organic approach. I use natural repellent mixes like garlic or onion extracts. - Mealy bug
You can see the nymphs and adult mealy bugs near the base of the lemongrass clumps. Commonly expected during the dry months. Keep on the lookout because this pest can suck out your plant’s juice and eventually dry it out.
To prevent, keep the soil weed free. Always remove the dried up clumps when you see one. You can also use this neemoil garlic emulsion (2%) from Amazon on the affected areas. - Leaf rust
When you see a stripe-like, dark lesion developing on both sides of the leaf surfaces of your lemongrass, it’s a sign that it has leaf rust. To manage, you can spray any contact fungicide available.
Zineb 0.3% and Mancozeb 0.3% are good choices. - Little Leaf
When you observe that your plants’ leaves are getting smaller in size, it’s a sign of Little leaf disease. It’s a virus-caused disease that you can manage by destroying the affected plants to reduce its spreading. - Slugs
Check your plants for slugs. They usually hide inside the tightly wrapped curls of the leaves of the lemongrass. Remove them immediately as this pest will love to munch on your plant.
Growing your own lemongrass may make you nervous, especially if you’re a beginner. But you’re not alone! Even I had my own share of panicking when I was just starting home gardening.
Relax and approach each problem with a calm attitude.
We all learn from our garden mishaps so we just have to try again or better yet, ask other members of the gardening community for advice and tips! Don’t be a stranger and mingle with other gardeners.
What other crops could I plant together with my lemongrass to maximize my garden space?
Are you familiar with companion planting? It’s a form of polyculture used by fellow gardeners and farmers that is believed to produce mutual benefits for certain crops planted next to each other.
The idea is these companion plants can help each other grow while maximizing your garden space. Score! Some of the benefits include natural pest control, higher crop yield and shade protection for sun-sensitive plants.
For example, lemongrass is an ideal companion plant for many crops due to its natural repellent properties.
It is packed with essential oils so it’s very rare for pests to attack it. Here are some plants that will like being close with your lemongrass:
What are the crops that will not go well with lemongrass?
While lemongrass has a number of great companion plants we should be thankful for, there are just some crops that will never go well with this plant. Generally, plants that consume a lot of water do not pair well with lemongrass.
Here are some of the lemongrass’ bad neighbors:
- Rose
- Eucalyptus
Harvesting Lemongrass
How do I harvest lemongrass and when is the best time to do it?
Finally, we’re on the harvesting stage! You can now congratulate yourself on a job well done.
Before harvesting though, you should make sure that you’ve given your plants enough time to develop some thick stems.
You can start harvesting your lemongrass when you see that your plants already reach 12 inches in height and the base of the stems are at least ½-inch thick. Remember to always use the outer stems first.
Gardening tip! If you want the tenderest leaves, check the ones close to the stems.
If you’re asking yourself how to harvest lemongrass, it’s easy!
Just firmly grasp the base of the plant’s stem and pull. Alternatively, you can use garden shears to cut stalks at ground level.
Remember that the one you want is the entire swollen base—the one that looks like a green onion or scallion.
If some of the roots also come up, don’t panic. A few of them won’t cause any damage to your plant.
Cut off the grassy top part of the plant, they ten to be razor-sharp so cut carefully. Take the lemongrass base. Now peel the outer fibrous layer so the inner white part will be exposed.
The inner, white core that you see is the one that is used in cooking while the leaves are the ones used for the light citrus teas and stocks. (And for fragrant rice!! Seriously, try it.)
To create more new plants, you can now take fresh cuttings from your very own lemongrass! You’ve come full circle. Like before, do it in early spring. Cut the divisions from your lemongrass plant and repeat the process of planting.
You’ll have an endless supply of lemongrass in no time. Give some to your friends and share this growing guide with them to lure more people in the gardening life!
What is the best way to store the lemongrass that I have harvested?
There are a number of ways you can store your harvested lemongrass. Though I find that they’re best used fresh. If you haven’t tried lemongrass tea, you are missing out. Pop a couple of ice and you got yourself one refreshing drink.
Tightly wrap your fresh-cut lemongrass and store it in the refrigerator. They will keep fresh for 2 weeks. The signature smell of lemongrass may fade a little but it’s wonderful flavor will remain and ready for your dish.
Alternatively, you can cut the lemongrass stalks into tiny pieces and dry them out. I store mine in a tightly sealed jar and place it someplace cool and dry.
Traditionally, this is perfect for a hot tea or you can also grind until it’s powdered form before adding it on your favorite dish.
Another way to store is by freezing the stem whole or chopped. The part that you’d want is the heart of the stalk, it’s soft, almost like butter and will slice easily.
Hurrah, we finished another growing guide! That’s all you need to know about how to grow lemongrass; from planting and growing to finally harvesting!
Thank you for sticking out and join me again next time for another gardening lesson!
Featured Table
| Botanical Name | Cymbopogon citratus |
| Plant Type | Herb |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sun |
| Soil Type | Sandy |
| Soil pH | Mildly acidic to mildly alkaline |
| Bloom Time | |
| Flower Color | |
| Hardiness Zones | 9,10,11 |
