How to Grow Lemongrass? Guide to Plant Growth, Uses, and Care Tips

Lemongrass, a tropical plant that is mainly found in the regions of Asia, America, and Africa, is a very beneficial plant. It is green in color and gives a strong lemon fragrance when damaged.

The plant gives us various benefits that we can use in our daily lives. These may include mental relief, being good for the skin, killing bacteria, etc. Lemongrass grows in warm, sunny, and humid conditions and can reach a height of 1.8m. The common lifespan of lemongrass can be up to 4-6 years. 

In this blog, we will learn how to grow lemongrass, its types, uses, and more information about it.

What is Lemongrass?

Lemongrass, also known as malabar grass, is an ancient plant that has been used for centuries in medicine. People use it in their daily lives in several ways, including oil, perfumes, and much more. 

It is a tropical and sub-tropical plant that cannot tolerate low temperatures and is popular for its aromatic and herbal uses, such as tea. 

Here’s everything you need to know:

Botanical Name	Cymbopogon
Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Magnoliophyta
Class	Liliopsida
Order	Poales
family	Poaceae
Genus	Cymbopogon

How to Grow & Harvest Lemongrass Plant? Care Tips to Consider

Planting lemongrass at home is handy nowadays. If you are aware of how to grow basil, which is a household plant to grow, it is easy for you to grow Lemongrass. There are three ways to grow lemongrass at home: by roots, by existing plants, and by seeds. Let’s explore the three ways to plant lemongrass:

By Roots	By Existing Plant	By Seeds
Rooting is the easiest way to grow lemongrass; all you need is to buy some lemongrass stalks that are easily available at the supermarket. Put those stalks in a pot filled with water until they start forming roots. It will take approximately 10–15 days. After root formation, put the rooted stalks into a pot filled with manure. In just 2 to 8 weeks after root formation, the plant starts growing.	Growing lemongrass from an existing plant is the fastest way to grow. All you need is an existing lemongrass plant. Cut the stems of the existing plant as needed. Place the plant in rich, well-drained soil. Trim the plant if needed. Take proper care of the plant.	Fertilize the soil properly before planting the seeds. The soil should be moist & rich. (Loam soil with high organic material is preferred.) Plant the seed about 0.25 cm deep in the pot or in the ground. Provide the seeds with the optimum temperature to survive. Water your plant according to its needs. Wait until the seed germinates, which takes about 10–20 days.

Also Read: Asparagus Fern Care Guide: Varieties, Tips & Common Issues

Care Tips For Lemongrass

Caring for a lemongrass plant is as easy as growing the plant itself. The process requires certain tips that you should not ignore to ensure your plant’s healthy growth. 

Here are some points given below for your reference:

• Provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. 
• Water the plant every 2 to 3 days, keeping the soil evenly moist.
• Maintain a warm temperature between 18°C and 27°C. 
• Use well-draining, nutrient-rich soil for healthy growth.
• Feed the plant with a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
• Trim old or dry leaves regularly to encourage fresh growth.
• Ensure the pot has proper drainage holes to prevent any root rot.

How to Harvest Lemongrass?

Lemongrass is easy to harvest once it reaches maturity. With the right harvesting technique and proper storage, you can enjoy its fresh flavor and aroma for several months.

Here are a few steps to follow:

• Wait 75 to 100 days for the lemongrass to reach harvest maturity.
• Hold a sharp tool and start cutting the leaves from the base.
• Handle the plant carefully, as the leaf edges are sharp.
• Once harvested, you can store lemongrass for the next 4-6 months.

What are the Different Types of Lemongrass?

There are over 55 species of lemongrass. However, of these 55 known species, there are only 2 known edible ones. Here are a few species of lemongrass that are used:

1. Cymbopogon Flexuosus 

   

   Cymbopogon flexuosus is also known as Cochin Grass. The primary uses of this plant are cooking, making herbal tea, and medicinal purposes. 

2. Cymbopogon Citratus

   

   Cymbopogon Citratus is well known for its fragrance and flavour. It is a flavouring plant that is used in soups and many other dishes.

3. Cymbopogon Nardus

   

   Cymbopogon Nardus is another type of lemongrass that gives a lemony fragrance, mainly used in aroma products. The plant can grow up to 2.5 meters tall. 

4. Cymbopogon Martinii

   

   Cymbopogon Martinii is mostly cultivated in India and used for making aromatic oil. It is also known as palm rose, as it smells sweet like a palm rose. This plant can grow up to 3 m in height. 

5. Cymbopogon Schoenanthus

   

   Another species of lemongrass is the Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (aka camel grass). It is used in many Ayurvedic treatments. This also has an aromatic fragrance that can be used in making oil.

Also Read: Coreopsis Flower: Origin, Symbolism, Types, Care & Growth

What are the Uses of Lemongrass?

Lemongrass is not just a plant, but an ancient one that has been in use for several years. People use this plant for many activities, such as cooking, making oil, and so on. 

Here are some uses of lemongrass given below:

Use of Lemongrass	How it is used
Tea	The most common use of lemongrass is for making tea.
Oil	It has an aromatic fragrance, thus also used in making aromatic oil.
Lowers Blood Pressure	This plant contains certain compounds that help to regulate blood pressure.
Household Use	Used for making aromatic soaps and such utilities.
Skin Care	It is also beneficial for skin; it can be used in making face masks or skincare products, etc.

What are the Common Diseases Related to Lemongrass? 

The lemongrass plant is naturally resistant to most pests and diseases, making it easy to maintain. However, it may sometimes catch some diseases, as explained below:

Rust	It may get rust on the leaves if not given enough sunlight or cared for properly. Quick Solution: Give proper sunlight, water, moisture, and air.
Little Leaf	It can stop growing if not cared for on time. Quick Solution: Use growth supplements as needed.
Red Leaf Spot	The plant starts getting red spots on the leaves, which may grow more if not cared for on time. Quick Solution: Use specified fertilizers to keep the plant safe.

Wrapping Up

Growing Lemongrass is not just easy but extremely useful because of its several uses in cooking, medicine, skincare, oiling, and much more.

This plant doesn’t need many complex growth procedures. 

The only factor it needs is sufficient sunlight and water to make it grow resilient to any damage. Thus, this blog has covered the entire growing conditions, care tips, and much more for the healthy growth of your plant. 

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