How to Grow Lemongrass

Lemongrass is a tufted, grassy perennial (or annual in cold climates) that can grow between 0.9-1.5 m tall and 0.8 m wide but can be trimmed to size as needed. Its handsome lime-green leaves make it a wonderful ornamental plant too. Although, take care when handling as the leaf blades are paper-cut sharp.

There are two main Lemongrass varieties:

• West Indian Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
• East Indian Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus)

The West Indian Lemongrass is more commonly sold and used in cooking, but both varieties are suitable for cooking. For some, the East Indian Lemongrass is considered to be more ornamental as its leaves have a purple tinge.

Regardless of which variety you choose to grow, Lemongrass is easy to grow at home in garden beds or pots. You can grow from seed, seedlings, cuttings or stem division. Here's how to grow Lemongrass at home.

Lemongrass grows well in all climate zones of Australia. In tropical, sub-tropical, and warm-temperate climates, it will grow as a perennial, therefore, all year round for a few years (although, it will last longer if you continue to divide and replant, see How to Grow by Root Division). In cold climates or areas that suffer from frost, it's best to treat it as an annual as it is likely to die down with exposure to frost. However, there are ways to help protect plants from frost and this may help see it through winter.

Choose a spot in full sun or part shade. Lemongrass also loves warmth, so a spot that also reflects heat – like near a brick wall – is ideal. Don't worry if you don't have such a spot though. While it's nice, it's not necessary.

Lemongrass grows best in rich, well-drained soil. Improve the soil with plenty of organic matter, like Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. If growing in pots, choose a pot at least 300 mm wide and deep and fill with Yates Premium Potting Mix.

Feed Lemongrass regularly throughout the growing season with Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food.

Water regularly until established. Once established, it's fairly drought tolerant, but it will perform better if the soil is kept moist. Add a layer of organic mulch, like sugarcane or pea straw to help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Allow the clump to establish before harvesting. This can take up to three months when grown from seed but is shorter if grown from cuttings or stem division. You can harvest at any time of the year, but keep in mind that the stalks will take longer to grow back in winter. To harvest, wear gloves and remove the whole stalk from the main plant. Wash and remove the outer couple of leaf sheaths, and it's ready for use. Save the leaves for use in tea or soups.

After a while, Lemongrass can become a bit wild and unruly. It's fine to leave as is, but if you prefer a more tame appearance, give a good hard prune in late winter. Wear gloves and use a sharp pair of shears (or a hedge trimmer, if handy) to remove up to two-thirds of the growth. Use this time to also clean up the clump, removing dead leaf sheaths or browning stalks.

Lemongrass is pretty tough and is not bothered by many pests or diseases. Occasionally, it may succumb to Rust. Simply remove and bin the affected leaves.

Choose a sunny or part shade spot in your garden, with well-drained soil. Enrich with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.

Sow seed direct, planting them in clumps of 2-3 seeds, 5 mm deep at 300 mm intervals. Cover lightly with Yates Seed Raising Mix and water well. The seeds will germinate in 10-14 days.

Water regularly. Once seedlings emerge, thin seedlings and feed weekly with Yates Thrive Vegie and Herb Liquid Plant Food.

Wear gloves and harvest by pulling stems at soil level. This will also help encourage leafier growth.

Choose a pot at least 300 mm wide and deep and position in a sunny or part shade spot. Fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.

Sow seed direct, planting them in clumps of 2-3 seeds, 5 mm deep. Cover lightly with Yates Seed Raising Mix and water well.

Water regularly. Once seedlings emerge, thin to remove weak seedlings. Feed weekly with Yates Thrive Vegie and Herb Liquid Plant Food.

Wear gloves and harvest by pulling leaves at soil level. This will also help encourage leafier growth.

Lemongrass regrows easily from fresh, store-bought stalks. Instead of throwing away or freezing excess stalks, you can plant them instead. Ensure the stalks are firm and fresh, otherwise they may fail to root and grow.    

Wash the base of the stalks to remove any dirt or debris and cut b­­­ack the leaves by two-thirds.

Fill a clean glass with water and place the stalks – base down – in the water, ensuring the bottom of the stalks are submerged in water.

Place the glass in a bright, warm spot and change the water every few days.

After a few weeks, roots should appear. Once the roots are 30-50 mm long, plant each stalk into the garden or pots filled with Yates Premium Potting Mix.

Water in with Yates Dynamic Lifter Liquid Concentrate to help reduce transplant shock and help the plant establish faster.

Growing Lemongrass from root division is a great way to get your hands on an established plant. This will also help rejuvenate an existing clump and/or help downsize a plant that has grown too big. The best time to divide an existing clump is in spring.

Use a sharp spade to slice into a section of the clump. Lemongrass is quite resilient, so it doesn't matter how much you cut, but ensure you have a sufficient-sized root ball. Alternatively, use a fork or spade to loosen the soil around the clump, then lift the entire root ball. Use the spade or a sharp knife to divide the clump into suitable sizes, then replant into the garden or pots.

The citronella contained in Lemongrass is insect repelling, so planting one near your patio can help keep the mozzies away in summer.