How to grow Lemongrass?
- Latin Family: Graminae
- Latin Genus: Cymbopogon
- Ease of Growing: Moderate
- Growing Type: Perennial
Lemongrass is a tender perennial herb that is commonly grown as an annual in cooler climates. The fresh stalks and blades are used extensively in Asian cooking and certainly lend a characteristic flavor.
Lemongrass History
Lemongrass is native to Southern India and Southeast Asia.
Soil Preference
- PH (min/max): 5.0 - 8.4
- PH Ideal (min/max): 6.0 - 7.0
Lemongrass prefers a nitrogen-rich, well-drained sandy soil, and cannot tolerate the water-retention of clay soils. The area should be cleared of any perennial weeds.
How to care for Lemongrass?
Lemongrass is a pretty easy plant to grow and doesn't require a lot of care. When plants are small, be sure to keep the area around the plants free of weeds. Be sure to harvest before it gets cold, because Lemongrass doesn't like frost.
Water
Native to tropical climates, Lemongrass thrives in humid conditions, and needs a lot of water. Using a mister on the plants in arid climates is beneficial. Requires an average of 24 - 30" of water in a year. With it's shallow roots it's more beneficial to water more often than to water deeply.
Fertilizer
Most grasses need lots of nitrogen rich fertilizer during the peak of the growing season. Feeding weekly with compost tea will greatly increase productivity during warmer months.
Germination Percentage: 30.0
Light
Sun: min. 6 hours daily
Plant lemongrass in a sunny part of the garden.
Conditions:Warm, Hot
Season:Short Season, Long Season
Storage
You can store Lemongrass tightly wrapped in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Storage Req: Refrigerator
Storage Temp: 35-40°F
Storage Length: 1-14 days
Frozen Lemongrass lasts for up to 6 months.
Storage Req: Freezer
Storage Temp: 32°F
Storage Length: 1-180 days
Lemongrass leaves can be dried either in the sun or in an oven. Store in an air-tight jar in the pantry. This method is better than freezing.
Storage Req: Drying
Storage Temp: 60-75°F
Storage Length: 180-360 days
Problems
Lemongrass Types
- Lemongrass
Perennial bunching grass native to India and SE Asia, often grown as an indoor plant or summer annual in the temperate North. The fresh stalks and blades are used extensively in Asian cooking and certainly lend a characteristic flavor. Premier soup additive, especially with galangal and coconut milk (Thom Kha Kai).
Lemongrass will only survive outside during winter as long as the minimum winter temperature is 45˚
Pests
- Caterpillars
- Spider Mites
Diseases
- Leaf Blight
- Fusarium Wilt
- Verticillium Wilt
