Lemongrass may be a lovely fragrant plant, that’s easy to require care of. Lemongrass features a lemon-citrus cent and may be used as a delicious herb. It’s commonest use is as a seasoning in Asian cuisine, and it also works alright as a tea. Lemongrass tea is claimed to be a home remedy surely conditions, due to its aromatic qualities, and its high concentration of antioxidants. Lemongrass volatile oil is additionally used for its many homeopathic benefits also .

Varieties

Lemongrass comes in two main varieties, which are East Indian and West Indian. East Indian is understood for having deeper red stems, and thinner stocks. While West Indian has thicker greener stocks and is more commonly used for culinary purposes. they need few subtle differences and are grown under equivalent conditions.

When to Grow

Lemongrass loves hot and humid climates. Lemongrass may be a perennial in growing zones 10 and warmer but are often grown as an annual in cooler climates, though it’s going to be difficult to grow outside within the cooler zones. If planting outside, plant lemongrass after the danger of frost has passed. Lemongrass takes about 100 days and sometimes 4-8 months to be ready for harvest. Lemongrass can also be grown indoors at any time, and is gorgeous during a pot.

Where to Grow

Lemongrass thrives in swampy conditions it prefers warm, moist and humid conditions. Grow lemongrass outdoors only in hardiness zones 9 and warmer. Grow lemongrass indoors year round during a very sunny window. If growing in containers, you’ll likely want a minimum of 5 gallons of space for the plant to urge to the dimensions you would like it to be. Lemongrass should be grown fully sun and will receive a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight per day although it’ll still grow a touch slower in 3-5 hours also .

Soil

Lemongrass should be planted in wet, fertile soil. attempt to avoid soil with heavy clay. Fast drainage is vital . Add many mature compost before planting. it’ll do fine during a range of soil pH, 5.0-8.0.

Planting and Dividing

The best thanks to start a lemongrass plant is from root cuttings from well established stalks. The stalks should be strong, firm and green. Put rock bottom inch during a glass of water and set them during a sunny window. Roots should begin to sprout within fortnight . Plant in soil once the roots are 1 – 2 inches long, usually after about 4 weeks.

Transplants should be spaced 3 feet apart and while planting remember they will grow 6 feet tall, though you’ll always trim them shorter if need. The soil you plant it in should be compost enriched. Wait until after the last frost before transplanting.

If you’ve got a plant that’s already started its pretty simple just dig a hole in appropriate soil roughly an equivalent size because the container the plant is currently planted. Remove plant from soil trying to stay the maximum amount of the first as you’ll and place it within the hole. Water well so it settles snug into its new home.

Watering

Water lemongrass frequently. It’s hard to over water a lemongrass plant, it’s wont to constant moisture, but it’ll not tolerate dried out roots, that’s the fastest thanks to kill your plant. No got to keep the soil muddy, but definitely keep it moist. In very dry areas, you ought to mist the leaves with a sprig bottle consistently.

Fertilizing

Lemongrass needs tons of nitrogen so as to thrive. For best growth use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer thereon every few weeks. take care if you’re planting lemongrass with other plants, because tons of plants don’t had best thereupon much nitrogen.

Harvesting

You can begin harvesting lemongrass once it’s grown to 1 foot tall. Harvest entire stalks by slicing them off at soil level, below the swollen ends. The stalks you harvest should be from the surface of the plant and confirm the stalks are a minimum of ½ inch thick. you ought to not break them off by hand, it’s better to chop them off, you would possibly got to peel off the outer layer of the stalks before you employ them if they’re too firm or dry.

Tips & Advice

Lemongrass may be a fragrant plant. I like to recommend planting lemongrass in places that you simply will smell them. The pleasing smell of lemongrass works well in back yards, along walkways or driveways, or maybe in your home.

For gardeners looking to urge the foremost play of their land buck, edible landscaping fills two desires: increasing curb appeal, while also getting tasty fresh veggies, fruits, and herbs for the kitchen. Some plants billed as ornamental edibles are questionable in either their beauty or their deliciousness (how many of these ornamental peppers are you able to dine in a week?), but few plants marry looks and tastiness the way lemongrass does. A fast-growing ornamental grass, lemongrass is as handsome waving within the summer breeze because it is appetizing in your soups, stir-fries, and teas. The foliage also adds gorgeous color autumn gardens, when it turns burgundy and red.

How to Grow Lemongrass

Lemongrass grows with abundance in areas where conditions mimic the tropical habitat of their origin. Plants like much heat, light, and moisture: Provide this, and your lemongrass will grow and multiply quickly.

Light

In its native habitat, lemongrass grows fully sun, even in hot climates. a minimum of six hours of direct sun per day will meet the plants’ energy needs. Plants growing in shade are going to be sparse and should attract pests.1

Soil

Lemongrass plants prefer rich, loamy soil. you’ll create this ideal soil by adding several different soil amendments: compost, manure, and leaf mold are all enriching additives that you simply can add at planting time.

Water

Lemongrass prefers moist soil for best plant growth, but once established, it’ll tolerate drought. A 3-inch layer of mulch can help conserve soil moisture and can enrich the soil because it breaks down.1

Temperature and Humidity

As tropical plants, lemongrass thrives in hot, steamy climates. The time for growing lemongrass outdoors is analogous to the timing for tomato planting: when night temperatures are within the 60s, it’s time to plant. Lemongrass is extremely frost sensitive, so if you propose to overwinter the plant indoors, bring it inside before temperatures get into the 40s.1

Fertilizer

As a grassy plant, lemongrass needs a nitrogen-rich fertilizer for its best growth. you’ll use a slow-release 6-4-0 fertilizer which will feed lemongrass throughout the season. you’ll also water your lemongrass plants with manure tea, which can add trace nutrients.

Potting and Repotting

Use a high-quality commercial potting soil for potting up a lemongrass plant. Choosing a potting soil premixed with a time-released fertilizer can prevent an additional step in feeding your plants. If your lemongrass plant grows within the same container year after year, it’s best to repot within the spring to replenish the soil.

Propagating Lemongrass

Lemongrass grows in clumps that make it very easy to divide. you’ll combine your harvesting and dividing tasks, as both require digging the plant. Each leaf fan is going to be attached to a narrow bulb-like base with roots attached, and every one among these has the potential to become a replacement clump. It’s up to you ways large you would like each division to be. Replanting a division with a minimum of five or six bulbs will look more substantial than one bulb. The bulbs break apart readily with a spade or hoe. Lemongrass is additionally easy to start out from seed.

Toxicity of Lemongrass

According to the ASPCA, lemongrass can cause indigestion in cats and dogs and difficulty inhaling horses. Keep plants out of reach of pets.2

Pruning

Lemongrass plants that live for quite one season enjoy an annual haircut to tidy plants and take away dead foliage. Shear your plants to about 6 inches high at the top of winter, when plants are in their resting phase. Lemongrass plants will rebound quickly and send up new shoots when warm weather returns.

Harvesting

As a fast-growing plant, lemongrass can withstand harvest when plants are young with no adverse effects on growth. Although the green leafy portions are too tough to eat, you’ll snip them for tea or steep in broth. The juicy stalks are edible when mashed or minced, adding a fragrant lemon note to dishes. Use a hand trowel to get rid of individual stalks, roots, and everyone, from the clump. Remove the tough outer leaves and prepare the tender white stalks by chopping, or freeze whole stalk pieces for later use.

Growing in Containers

Choose an outsized container for growing your lemongrass, a minimum of 12 inches in diameter. this is often both to accommodate a healthy rootage, and to stop top-heavy plants from tipping over. In cold climates, you’ll grow one root division during a small container during a sunny windowsill to stay the plant going for next season’s harvest.

Growing From Seeds

Lemongrass seeds germinate easily in warm, moist soil. Press seeds lightly into sterile potting mix, and keep moist until germination occurs, usually within about 10 to 14 days. When plants are about 3 inches tall, thin them to a foot apart.

Common Pests and Diseases

In some areas, rust can affect lemongrass plants. Symptoms include brown spots or streaks on leaves, resulting in plant death. Prevent rust by watering plants at the soil level.

Lemongrass vs. Lemon Verbena

Although both lemongrass and lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) will both make a satisfying cup of tea, the plants have a special appearance and different growing requirements. Where lemongrass may be a moisture-lover, lemon verbena plants love it on the dry side. Lemon verbena plants have elongated leaves, but they aren’t grassy. Unlike lemongrass, lemon verbena plants produce Pieris rapae flowers, which also are edible. Lemon verbena plants are better fitted to use in cold dishes because the volatile oil is delicate and evaporates during cooking.