Lemon Grass Plant

Lemon Grass In addition to its delicious and delicate flavor, lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) makes an attractive plant in the garden whether you grow it in the ground or in containers. The upper portion of the tall, grass-like leaves, which can reach up to 6 feet, arches over, giving the plant a pleasant fountain effect. Although this plant is native to hot and humid areas in Southeast Asia, with proper care, lemongrass can be grown in almost any sunny garden.

Lemon Grass Planting & Care    

Lemongrass requires full sun and warm weather to thrive. If you don't have an area that receives six to eight hours of sun, lemongrass will not grow well in your yard. Frost will kill lemongrass, so if you live in an area where temperatures dip below 40 degrees, grow your lemongrass in a container that can be brought inside during cooler weather. Once the weather warms, your lemongrass can be put outside.

Plant lemongrass in loose, fertile soil that drains well, such as potting soil or loam mixed with compost (2 parts soil to 1 part compost). Clay soils retain too much moisture to be well suited for lemongrass and can lead to rot and nutrient deficiency. If you are planting lemongrass in a garden bed, leave 3 feet of space between individual plants. If growing lemongrass in a pot, choose a container that is at least 16 inches across. Five-gallon buckets also work well as lemongrass containers.

The soil your lemongrass is planted in should never be allowed to dry out. Water regularly during the growing season. During dry, hot weather, mist your lemongrass and check the soil for dryness daily. Feed your lemongrass with a water-soluble, high-nitrogen fertilizer each week during the summer. During the rest of the year, feed the plant monthly with the same fertilizer.

If a cold front is predicted, protect your in-ground lemongrass with blankets or bring your containers indoors until the weather passes. For cold winter areas, grow lemongrass in containers and bring the containers indoors throughout the winter. The plants need to be kept near a south-facing window to receive as much sun as possible, or you can keep them under a grow light. If you don't want to keep your lemongrass plants indoors, harvest the stalk,leaving 3 to 4 inches of stem above the soil. Dig up the remaining stalk and the root. Keep the roots in a dark, well-ventilated area that stays above 40 degrees. When the weather warms, plant the roots outside.