Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus)
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If you're looking to add lemon flavor to your foods then you should definitely add lemongrass to your garden! Lemongrass leaves and stems can jazz up your chicken and fish, soups, teas, sauces, and much more! Lemongrass is a perennial clumping, oriental grass that not only repels mosquitoes but it also adds a pleasant aroma to your home and garden.
Scientific Name: Cymbopogon flexuosus
Also Known As: Cochin grass or Malabar grass.
Native Range: India, Sri Lanka, Burma and Thailand.
Grown as: Tender Perennial/Annual
Maturity: 100 days
Outdoor Growing Temp: 40°F - 100°F+. Ideal: 85°F
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: Yes
Light: Full Sun. Pick a location where your lemongrass will receive direct sun all day. If this is not possible, plant it where it will get at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. When lemon grass gets too much shade, it may attract pests.
Water: Medium. Lemongrass is not drought-tolerant so keep the roots constantly moist for best plant health.
Soil Moisture: Medium. Use a 3" layer of mulch to help conserve moisture.
Maintenance: Low
Beneficial Insects?: No. Although lemon grass is helpful in repelling some pests, its doesn't really attract any beneficial insects.
Containers?: Yes. A Lemongrass plant needs a 5 gallon or larger container so it will have room to grow and so it can be moved indoors during winter. It is a tropical perennial grown as an annual in most parts of the United States. It is not tolerant of frost and any heavy frost will kill it.
Height: 36-60"
Spacing: 36-48”
Sow Depth: 1/8"
USDA Zone: Annual: 2-9
Perennial: 10-12
Produces: a 36-60" tall, 36" wide clumping grass plant with blue/green leaves and a lemony aroma.
Garden Uses: Herb gardens, Rain gardens.
Also Known As: Cochin grass or Malabar grass.
Native Range: India, Sri Lanka, Burma and Thailand.
Grown as: Tender Perennial/Annual
Maturity: 100 days
Outdoor Growing Temp: 40°F - 100°F+. Ideal: 85°F
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: Yes
Light: Full Sun. Pick a location where your lemongrass will receive direct sun all day. If this is not possible, plant it where it will get at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. When lemon grass gets too much shade, it may attract pests.
Water: Medium. Lemongrass is not drought-tolerant so keep the roots constantly moist for best plant health.
Soil Moisture: Medium. Use a 3" layer of mulch to help conserve moisture.
Maintenance: Low
Beneficial Insects?: No. Although lemon grass is helpful in repelling some pests, its doesn't really attract any beneficial insects.
Containers?: Yes. A Lemongrass plant needs a 5 gallon or larger container so it will have room to grow and so it can be moved indoors during winter. It is a tropical perennial grown as an annual in most parts of the United States. It is not tolerant of frost and any heavy frost will kill it.
Height: 36-60"
Spacing: 36-48”
Sow Depth: 1/8"
USDA Zone: Annual: 2-9
Perennial: 10-12
Produces: a 36-60" tall, 36" wide clumping grass plant with blue/green leaves and a lemony aroma.
Garden Uses: Herb gardens, Rain gardens.
To achieve higher germination of your seeds, try making a soil mix containing equal parts of compost, sphagnum peat moss, and coarse sand. Sow your lemon grass seeds in seeds trays 1/8” deep and mist gently. Now place the seed tray in a plastic resealable bag to obtain the humidity required to germinate lemon grass. Since lemongrass doesn't require light to germinate, there is no need to waste any of your grow lights on them. Simply place the seed tray any dark with an air temperature of 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Don't forget to keep your seed mix moist by misting your seed trays daily. Germination usually occurs in 7-21 days. When you see signs that your seeds have sprouted, simply remove the seed tray from the plastic bag and place the tray in full sunlight. You will have healthy seedlings in 2-4 weeks.
Transplant your lemongrass seedlings outdoors when temperatures are above 60 degrees. If you live in grow zones 7 or lower, you will want to grow your lemongrass in a container because you will have to over winter it indoors. If you live in zones 8 or 9 you can plant your lemongrass directly in the ground and it will become dormant in the winter. In zones 10 or higher, lemongrass is an evergreen perennial and can be grown in the ground as well. In either case, lemongrass will need a rich, loamy soil consisting of 4" of compost and 8" of soil which will provide nutrients and help retain moisture. You will need to dig a hole that is the same depth as the container your lemongrass is currently in but the width will need to be slightly larger. Now fill the hole with your soil mix leaving a hole in the center that is slightly deeper the size of the root ball you are transplanting. Be sure to space your lemongrass seedlings 36-48" apart on all sides. Now cover the hole with soil, and tap firmly around the plants base. Finally, be sure to water thoroughly to ensure the root ball depth has been reached.
Perennial Harvesting:
Lemongrass is harvested for both the stalk and foliage. Begin harvesting your lemongrass when the plant reaches 12" in height or when the stalks are at least 1/4" thick. This can be done by breaking, cutting, or twisting off stalk as close to ground as you can due to the bottom of the stalk being where the most tender part is located. Cut, twist or break off a stalk that is at least 1/4 inch thick. You can begin removing the woody outer portion and the leaves of the stalks once you harvested the amount of lemongrass you need for the day. Now simply slice stalk where it is tender it is ready to be added to your recipes.
Annual Harvesting:
Lemongrass will need to be completely harvested in fall before the first frost in colder regions. Simply remove the foliage of the stalks and then break, twist, or cut them off. Be sure to compost the leaves, roots, and any discolored portions.
Lemongrass is harvested for both the stalk and foliage. Begin harvesting your lemongrass when the plant reaches 12" in height or when the stalks are at least 1/4" thick. This can be done by breaking, cutting, or twisting off stalk as close to ground as you can due to the bottom of the stalk being where the most tender part is located. Cut, twist or break off a stalk that is at least 1/4 inch thick. You can begin removing the woody outer portion and the leaves of the stalks once you harvested the amount of lemongrass you need for the day. Now simply slice stalk where it is tender it is ready to be added to your recipes.
Annual Harvesting:
Lemongrass will need to be completely harvested in fall before the first frost in colder regions. Simply remove the foliage of the stalks and then break, twist, or cut them off. Be sure to compost the leaves, roots, and any discolored portions.
Lemongrass is an incredibly fast grower. It will likely need to be divided by the next season after planting. When planted in a pot, thinning by division is required each growing season. For either potted or planted in ground Lemongrass, to divide the plant, trim the blades to two inches tall before division to make the process much easier. Dig up the plant root ball, and trim the roots to about an inch in length. With a very sharp shovel or blade cut through the clump of roots with one swift cut. Ideally, the divisions should to be about 6 inches in size, or bigger. Plant these divisions a minimum of 3 feet apart to accommodate these vigorous plants. Lemongrass can grow 3-6 feet tall, and 3 feet across.
Lemongrass is used as a culinary herb and is a popular flavoring for food in Asian cuisine. It has a subtle citrus flavor and can be used fresh, powdered, or dried. Lemongrass leaves and stems can jazz up your chicken and fish, soups, teas, sauces, and much more! An essential oil obtained from the plant is highly aromatic with a lemon-like aroma and flavor. It is often used by the food industry as a flavoring in foods such as ice creams, baked goods, oils, candies, chewing gum , and more! The dried leaves are often used as an aromatic herb tea.
Lemongrass essential oil is produced by steam distillation of the freshly cut leaves, or can be extracted using alcohol. It is believed to help with stress-related disorders, and has been shown to have antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Cymbopogon flexuosus completely inhibits all MRSA colony growth.
Project Purity Seeds can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Companions: Basil, Cilantro, Cucumber, Echinacea, Fennel, Marigolds, Mint, Onions, Peppers, Thyme, Tomatillo, and Tomato.
Lemongrass is also used in essential oils and perfumes.