Lemongrass
Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon flexuosus
Lemongrass is an herb cultivated both for culinary and medicinal purposes. It has a strong citrus flavor. Lemongrass is very easy to grow, as long as it is kept out of the cold. It grows as a perennial in warmer climates, but can be grown as an annual in colder areas.
How to Grow Lemongrass
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Growing from Seed
It is more common to grow lemongrass from nursery transplants than from seed. Sow lemongrass seeds on the soil surface and press in gently. Lemongrass seeds germinate best with light exposure. Upon germination, keep the seedlings under light for at least 8 hours per day. Ideally, keep the seedlings on top of a heating mat as well. Keep the soil consistently moist.
Planting Considerations
Lemongrass prefers loamy soil that is consistently moist (but not waterlogged). Choose a location that receives plenty of sunlight. Plant to the same depth as the soil in the nursery pot. If growing lemongrass in a container, choose a container that is at least 12" (30 cm) wide. Lemongrass can be an aggressively-spreading garden plant if it is not contained.
Feeding
Fertilize in-ground plants monthly through the summer with fertilizer containing plenty of nitrogen diluted to half-strength. Container-grown plants should be fertilized weekly during the summer and monthly during the winter.
Harvesting
Lemongrass can be harvested once the stalks reach 1/2" (1 cm) thick. Select an outer stalk to harvest. Cut the entire stalk away from the roots at ground level.
Storage
Peel off the outer leaves of the stalk, leaving only the white inner stem and bulb. Use fresh, or freeze for future use.
Pruning
Lemongrass does not require pruning but it can be trimmed back to manage the plant's size. Any dry, dead leaves and stalks should also be trimmed off to make way for new growth. In warm climates lemongrass can be divided in spring to keep its size in check. In cold climates lemongrass can be dug up and divided in fall and overwintered in containers.
