Growing lemongrass by yourself can be a healing moment as it is fun and rewarding to you. Not dramatic or high-maintenance, but the best thing about lemongrass is just simple by giving it sun, warmth, and a little routine, then letting it grow fast.
Whether you plan it for a kitchen garden or just want that refreshing citrus smell around, growing lemongrass is the perfect choice. So, here are some beginner-friendly guides to grow lemongrass for getting delightful results of that clean and pure scent.
Lemongrass is essentially a tropical grass with a clean citrus aroma, tall arching leaves, and thick, flavorful stalks. No wonder it is a favorite in Asian cooking. It grows surprisingly fast, especially in warm climates.
As long as it gets plenty of sun and consistent moisture, it quickly forms dense clumps of fresh, bright-green foliage that make any kitchen garden look lively.
Lemongrass thrives in full sunlight, exactly around 6–8 hours of bright light every single day. This plant simply performs best when it gets a ton of sunshine because heat and light are what encourage those thick, flavorful stalks to develop.
Growing lemongrass can also be done in the cooler area. You can plant it in pots and move it to the sunniest corner you have. Without enough light, lemongrass grows thin, weak, and loses its signature citrus aroma.
When it comes to soil, lemongrass is not picky as long as drainage is good. Every source mentions that growing lemongrass absolutely prefers loamy or sandy soil that drains fast but still keeps a bit of moisture.
Before planting, you need to mix compost to boost nutrients and avoid heavy clay unless you improve it with sand or organic matter.
When growing it in a pot, use a container with lots of drainage holes then go for something deep and sturdy because lemongrass roots can get strong and thick over time. Plant the stalks or seedlings about 2–3 feet apart, since they grow into wide clumps.
Growing lemongrass needs consistent moisture, especially during its growing season in warm weather. Do watering regularly when the top soil feels dry. Add more water in hot climates, and reduce it in cool climates.
To be noted, if the leaves start to turn brown or curl, it usually means the plant is too dry. While the leaves turn yellow it may be a sign of overwatering or poor drainage.
As a tropical plant, lemongrass thrives in hot and humid weather where the ideal temperatures stay above 21°C (70°F), while when it drops below 10°C (50°F) lemongrass will be damaged.
However, if you want to grow lemongrass somewhere with cold winters, take it in small pots so you can move it indoors and keep it near a sunny window and do sufficient watering.
When growing lemongrass, you also can add sufficient fertilizer or compost to the soil every few months for it is useful to help improve the flavor and thickness of the stalks. Avoid overfeeding because it can make the plant grow leafy but not necessarily improve the stalks.
Also read: 10 Lemon Grass Benefits: Anxiety, Cholesterol, and Infection
Harvesting lemongrass can be done by simply pulling or cutting the outer stalks of the growing lemongrass, as these are the thickest and most mature.
Signs that the stalks are ready for harvest usually include feeling firm, having a thick base and pale color, and a strong aroma. The more often you harvest, the more diligently the plant will produce new shoots, so that fresh and healthy stalks will continue to grow.
Although lemongrass is a strong plant and rarely attacked by pests, there are still some problems to take care of.
The leaves can be affected by rust, which appears as orange spots due to excessive moisture, or leaf blight, which is characterized by brown spots due to poor air circulation. Spider mites can also appear, especially in dry indoor conditions.
Most of these problems in growing lemongrass can be prevented with good air circulation, proper watering, and light pruning. If pests appear, simply rinse the leaves or spray them with mild soap.
Also read: Plan for Vegetable Garden: A Beginner’s Guide
Doing the pruning process of dead or dry leaves to keep the plant looking fresh. Trimming also encourages new shoots and helps the clump stay healthy. If the plant gets huge, divide it by digging up the root ball and splitting it into sections to rejuvenate old plants.
To conclude, all of those guides above may be useful to understand and practice the basic care of growing lemongrass for you can produce tropical vibes to your cooking or herbal drinks, and also fresh scent to your space.
It is an effortless, fast-growing plant that is seriously satisfying to harvest anytime you need it.
