Growing Lemongrass in Australia

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is an amazing herb and it is easy to grow. This wonderful plant is part of the poaceae family of grasses.

Sometimes referred to as West Indian lemon grass, lemongrass is native to Maritime Southeast Asia. Subsequently, it has been introduced to many countries in the tropical regions.

Lemongrass growing by division is the best way to propagate this plant.

How to Grow Lemongrass from Stalk

Growing lemongrass from stalks is relatively easy and can be done with fresh lemongrass stalks purchased from a grocery store or market. Here’s a step-by-step guide to growing lemongrass from stalks:

1. Choose fresh lemongrass stalks that are firm and green with intact bases. The bases should be at least 1-2 inches long.
2. Trim the tops of the lemongrass stalks, leaving about 6-8 inches of the stalk with the base intact. Remove any dry or dead outer leaves from the stalks.
3. Fill a glass or jar with about an inch of water and place the lemongrass stalks in it with the base down. Ensure the bases are submerged in water. Place the glass or jar on a sunny windowsill where it can receive plenty of light. Change the water every few days to keep it fresh and prevent mold growth. After about 2-3 weeks, you should see roots developing from the base of the stalks and new shoots emerging from the top.
4. Transplant to Soil: Once the roots are about 1-2 inches long and you see new growth, it’s time to transplant the lemongrass into soil.
5. Choose a pot with good drainage or prepare a spot in your garden with well-draining soil. Fill the pot with potting soil or prepare the garden bed by loosening the soil and adding compost if needed.
6. Planting: Make a hole in the soil deep enough to cover the roots and the base of the stalk. Place the rooted lemongrass stalk into the hole and cover the roots with soil, pressing gently to secure it in place. Water the soil thoroughly after planting.
7. Care and Maintenance: a) Sunlight: Lemongrass thrives in full sun, so ensure it gets at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. b) Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry periods. Lemongrass prefers well-watered conditions but avoid waterlogging.
8. Spacing: If planting multiple lemongrass stalks, space them about 24 inches apart to allow room for growth.
9. Harvesting: Lemongrass can be harvested once it has established and the stalks are thick and firm. Cut the stalks close to the base when needed.

By following these steps, you can successfully grow lemongrass from stalks and enjoy a fresh supply of this aromatic herb for cooking, teas, and other uses.

Lemongrass Seeds

Lemongrass seeds can be purchased from most commercial seed sellers. Today they are usually purchased online. The seeds themselves will germinate in 7-14 days, when grown between 20 to 30 degrees Celsius.

Lemongrass growing from seed

Lemongrass should be located in full sun, though partial sun in the afternoon is tolerated.

Time needed: 3 minutes.

How to grow lemongrass from seed.

1. Sow Seeds: Plant during spring when the soil temperature is above 20C (68F). Sow seeds in holes 30cm (12in) apart, dropping 3 seeds into each hole.
2. Water and Sun: Water your seeds after planting and water regularly thereafter.
3. Pot: Transfer strong seedlings into a pot and place in full sun if possible. When they reach 20cm (8in) in height transfer your plant into their final destination (eg larger pot, raised bed or into the ground).
4. Mulch: Mulch around your plants to deter pests and save water.
5. Harvest: You can begin harvesting once the plant is at least a foot high. However, do not harvest more than 1/3 of the plant at a time. When harvesting, cut individual stalks as needed as close to ground level as possible.

Lemongrass Growing Season

Lemongrass is a warm-season perennial grass that thrives in tropical and subtropical climates. It grows best in warm, sunny weather and prefers temperatures above 15°C (60°F), making it ideal for growing in spring and summer. Lemongrass can be grown year-round in regions with warm temperatures, such as northern Australia and other tropical areas.

In regions with colder winters, lemongrass can be grown in containers and brought indoors to survive the winter, resuming outdoor growth in spring.

Lemongrass Growing Conditions

You want to grow in a good medium. So look for lightweight, crumbly, nutrient rich soil for your pot.

Fertilising 

Lemongrass does not need a lot of fertilising. However, applying liquid fish fertiliser in autumn and spring will give this herb an added boost.

Water and Sun

Lemongrass does not like dry or soggy soil, so try to keep it just evenly moist, with frequent light watering. Also note it loves sun, so place lemongrass in full sun where you can.

Pests and Diseases 

Lemongrass is fairly pest resistant, but pests include thrips, lesion nematodes and white grubs.

White oil is a popular solution to address pests. Neem oil is also a great organic way to keep pests at bay.

Lemongrass Growing in Pots

In the tropics, the summer downpours are not agreeable with many herbs, especially when they are in a boggy location that does not drain well. Hence growing in a container or raised bed that will drain well is a real advantage.

It is quite easy to grow this herb in pots. So the first decision you need to make is the size of the pot, and that will depend on how much lemongrass you want to grow.

Growing lemongrass in pots Australia

We use an Australian made green smart wicking bed. This way if we forget to water it for a while, the plant will still have access to water.

Lemongrass Bunnings

Lemongrass can be purchased from Bunnings, either in a small pot from the nursery section or in seed form. However, why not consider supporting a local nursery? They often have what you need and a lot more besides. Also, often local nurseries sell products suited to the local climate.

Lemongrass Growing for Cooking and Health

Lemongrass is a herbaceous perennial plant native to tropical climates. Indeed it has a strong lemony aroma and can be used in many types of dishes, including soups and stews. In addition, drinking tea made with lemongrass can help reduce stress, improve digestion, and even boost your immune system.

Cooking with Lemongrass

Make sure you peel away the outer layers with your fingers and discard them. What you will uncover is a pale yellow stalk that is softer and easier to slice. So this is what we want to use in cooking.

Antioxidants

Finally, lemongrass contains antioxidants which can help the body fight free radicals in your body that may cause disease. Indeed it has chlorogenic acid, isoorientin, and swertiajaponin, which are antioxidants that help to prevent cell damage in your coronary arteries.

In conclusion, we wish you all the best with your lemongrass growing.

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