By Anni Winings, contributing writer
I first came across lemongrass while visiting a farmer’s market in Florida while we were traveling.
The little old man handed me a bunch of lemongrass stalks and said, “You put those in water and they grow again.” He picked up another stalk and showed me how to chop it and use the inner part of the lemongrass. It smelled amazing when he chopped it up, and I bought a couple of bunches of lemongrass.
Since then, I’ve used lemongrass to add a “what is that!” element to rice; to add a light, slightly spicy lemony flavor to smoothies (not to mention all its purported healing properties); and in all sorts of variations of stir-fries and soups.
As the old man promised, when I stuck the ends of the lemongrass in a jar of water, they did begin to sprout roots. I’ve moved twice since that time, and haven’t been able to take my potted plants across the borders of the new states we’ve moved to, so I’ve regrown lemongrass both from stalks found in oriental shops and from seed.
Growing lemongrass isn’t that hard. Once you get a thriving bunch established, you’ll have more lemongrass than you know what to do with.
How to Grow Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a sub-tropical plant and it can’t handle hard freezing temperatures. If you live anywhere colder than about a zone 9a, you’ll want to grow your lemongrass in a pot, and bring it indoors for the winter. And even then, you might want to bring it in, just in case you get an unexpected temperature drop (the weather seems to be doing all sorts of funny things these days).
Here’s a potting soil recipe that works great.
Grow your lemongrass in full sun, with plenty of water, in a rich, well-draining soil. If you’re growing it in a pot, top-dress it with compost or worm castings every couple of weeks, to make sure it’s getting plenty of nutrients.
Lemongrass will naturally propagate itself, once it is established. Small stalks of new plants will begin to grow off the side of existing stalks (see picture below).
There are a handful of different varieties of lemongrass, though a lot of times, it’s not specified which variety you’re purchasing, whether in seed form or in stalks. I’ve grown at least two different varieties of lemongrass, though I don’t know what they’re called. I only know they were different because one had red streaks along the lower half of the leaves, and the other one didn’t.
True Leaf Market has a great variety of lemongrass seeds available. Additionally, learn where to find heirloom seeds for your garden here.
Lemongrass will germinate within a week or two, and if our experience is typical, the seed has a high germination rate. Keep the seeds moist and in a warm spot until they germinate. Transplant them to a pot (these planter tubs would be a great option) when they’re about six inches tall, spacing them about 2-3 inches apart, and making sure they’ll have plenty of space for good root growth.
If you want to root your own lemongrass from stalks bought in a store or at a farmer’s market, simply place them in a jar with an inch or two of water, and let them sit until the roots begin to grow. Be sure to change out the water every couple of days. Once you begin to see new leaves growing, you’ll know that the lemongrass has enough roots and you can plant them in a pot.
To harvest a stalk of lemongrass, grasp firmly near the base of the stem and pull. The inner, white core is what is used in cooking, though the leaves can also be used to make a light, lemony tea.
Remove the outer green leaves and finely chop or grate the lemongrass. When I use it to flavor plain rice, I put the chopped lemongrass in a kitchen muslin bag and sink it in the water the rice is cooking in. Once the rice is done, I simply remove the bag.
A Few Lemongrass Recipes to Try:
More The Prairie Homestead Gardening Tips:
- Top Ten Healing Herbs to Grow
- Herbs to Grow For Chicken Nesting Boxes
- 7 Ways to Improve Garden Soil
- 7 Things Each First Garden Should Know
About Anni
I’ve loved milk since I was a kid, I tend to collect books, my favorite season is fall, and I’m very allergic to cats. I’m a nutritional therapist, having obtained a Bachelors degree in Dietetics, but without the further qualifications to become a registered dietitian (I got married & had a family instead). I blog at Homestead and Gardens.
I have lemon grass in my home garden but never used it in cooking or recipes, I love its green tea, perfect for sore throat
Thanks for sharing the post 🙂
Thank you for this succinct and helpful article. I just picked up some lemongrass that was left out root ball and dirt and all with the free sign on my evening walk. I’m so excited to add it to my vegetable garden.
Nice article for your website
This was one thing I sooo wanted to try last summer to help with mosquito control, but never got around to it! Thanks for this great info, I didn’t realize how easy it was to grow…now I’m on a mission to find some stalks or seeds 😉
I’ve people claim that lemon grass drives off mosquitos, but I didn’t realize it could be used for cooking.
I’m going to plant lemongrass plants around entry doors to keep mosquitos away and good to repel snakes too
I found a spray of lemon grass in Targets and it ended my battle with knats ! Yes to lemongrass!
Where I live, I know we have 2 types of lemon grass. One species is for eating, and the other one is for confinement ladies to bath and can drive mosquitos away.
Thankxz have a pot of lemon grass plan to grow more of it.
I really enjoy lemon grass. I have planted in my big pots in my yard 2 years now for both mosquitoes and cooking & ive used it for hot tea too. I love the smell of it when you rub your hands in it.& then i put the sent on me when oam out side. I recommend this for all yards. Its a treat.
Good to know! I’m already looking forward to what I can grow in my balcony garden next year…lemongrass might make the cut!
Thanks for the kindness shown . Your free info. On lemongrass has helped me .
In Philippines We always used lemon grass in a mix seafood soups, and chicken recipes especially in broiled chicken yummy overload???
In case anyone cares to know, we live in southern California with only hard packed sand and rocks and this grows big and very quickly for us. We just dug a little hole and it took off on its own
That is awesome!
Yes…I’m in Brisbane,Australia and my lemon grass is 1 metre wide by nearly 2metres high in 4 years…easy to control though.It must be in the right spot??
Thanks for all advice on growing lemongrass and it’s uses. I like lemongrass soap. Heard lemongrass was good for keeping insects mosquitoes especially at bay.
I purchased my lemongrass seeds at Ace hardware about two years ago.
Usefull recipes.
My dogs love eating lemongrass. I grow it in a large container amd transplant it every time i find and even larger container
I am just hoping…. In Canada I think they don’t sell lemon grass and I want some very badly. Is it possible for somebody to mail me a few seeds and I will pay you even before you mail to me, when you tell me price of seeds and postage. I hope to get an answer soon, Merry Christmas to you. Monique.
I’ve been growing lemon grass for years. I’ve done a bit of study on the subject. The lemon grass for culinary purposes apparently doesn’t easily produce seed. I’ve recently seen seed offered in catalogs but I think it’s of another species. The best way to propagate is by taking stalks bought at your Asian grocery store. Just a couple bucks for 6 to 10 stalks. It cheaper than seeds anyway. Just pull any dead material from the bulbous base, then wash well. Next stick in a jar, like a quart mason jar, put stalks
Guess I got to wordy. Anyway put in jar. Put a couple of inches of water in the jar. Change the water every couple of days. Put in sunny window. I takes 2 or 3 weeks to root. Put in regular potting mix. Give it couple weeks moderate light. Keep moist. Then into full sunlight. They’ll grow like crazy. Doesn’t like frost. Good luck.
Another thought they make an excellent ornamental grass.a little like a spider plant,but three times as tall. I had an old plant, the leaves were three foot tall.
Where do the lemon grass seeds come from? Do they seed like regular grass?
hi… yes it is sold in Canada at nurseries & walmarts & can. tires
Did anyone send you seeds? If mine sprout I will send you one. I am in Memphis Tennessee.
Rvmemphis@gmail.com
How does the lemongrass plant make seeds? I’ve googled and couldn’t find any answers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14WqKG-5wNg
Lemon grass can be found in oriental markets.
They sell lemon grass stalks at Yuan Ming Supermarket in Mississauga, Canada.
I used to grow them in the past but my cat likes to eat the leaves. Afraid he might get an allergic reaction, I got rid of them?
My dogs munch on them, with no obvious ill effects.
my 2 cats loved to munch on the leaves with no problems and it kept ants out of our kitchen.
its safe for cats my 2 cats love it and cat nip plants
A little late for you to receive a reply, but you certainly can buy lemongrass in Canada.
I purchase mine at the local nursery, also because it is so easy to regrow, go to your local Asian market and purchase some and place in an inch or 2 of water in jar and watch for new roots to grow then plant it.
Easy Peasy
You can buy a dozen stalks from Amazon for about $10. Mine came a week and a half before my text said they would arrive
I putchased some at a local nursery…Heenans…good luck
Hi I’ll be glad to buy you some seeds . I just started growing lemongrass . The seeds took forever to be delivered . They are do little . I am new at this . I’ll order se did and when you respond I’ll get you information and mail them
Love your site. I get a lot of seeds and plants from richter’s herbs out of Canada. Been ordering from them for years and if you’re a catalog freak such as myself an excellent catalog. Richter’s.com.
I GOT SOME IN ZEHRS Grocery Store at back of Produce with bagged salad. It was in Goderich, Ontario Canada
I live in The GTA area and buy a few stalks of lemongrass every year from a Chinese store. To grow them, I slit an x at the base of the stalks and put them in a glass of water and let it grow roots. A couple of weeks later they are ready to be transplanted in pots. Take them indoors in November. I have a pot with 6 stalks, flourishing since three years.
That’s awesome!
Monique,
Do you have your lemongrass yet? Are you in Quebec or which province?
I grew up drinking lemongrass tea in Jamaica however we called it fevergrass back then. I had no idea it was the same lovely plant that I so adored in Thai foods. Anyway I’ve got my one little stalk sitting in some water waiting to root.. Wish me luck.
Very cool! Good luck! 🙂
Good luck, I boil it and drink it like a tea with or without honey. Good for cough and sore throat.
I think lemongrass and fever grass are different.
Lemongrass, also called fever grass, is a perennial plant with thin, long leaves that is indigenous to many Asian …
They are same, different names, different cultures…
I am also Jamaican and when my mom and I saw lemon grass. We both said this look like fevergrass (my favorite) we bought it and then I googled it. Low and behold good old fevergrass ???
Yes that’s the name I know. It makes a tasty tea when mixed with pepper mint.
where can I get the seeds?
Nice article for your website
Lemongrass is safe for cats to eat as well. My cat loves to nibble on lemongrass when he has playtime in the garden.
My Mom (who’s thai) taught me about growing lemongrass. You can use the green leaves for cooking as well. Cut it like chives and chop thinly, add it to any foods you’d normally add lemongrass to, you won’t need to take it out, also freezes well this way too so you have fresh lemongrass through the winter (we live in Canada) the green stalks just grow back like grass and you basically have an endless supply.
Will it live in the ground over the winter and come back up in spring in the south in US? It does go below freezing here in North Carolina.
I’m in Ga and mine never comes back. I heard that you can bring them inside to “over winter” them. I’m going to try that this year.
Yes, bring inside. I had a great planter full till I forgot to water. Trimmed back the dryer leaves. Watering 2 or so times a week. Back to thriving. Love to know how to separate though. Any ideas, without mangling any..
One site says you can leave outdoors up to grow zone 9a.
I planted lemongrass last summer and it grew really fast. My question is, are some plants non edible or are you able to eat any of them? Curious as the info with it didn’t say it was edible. Thanks
I did root a very dried out grocery store lemongrass stalk, but I never got to planting it before it expired.
I just bought a potted plant at a nursery; thin little leaves at this point.
** My big question is: will it start self-sowing from it’s seeds? **
I had an ornamental grass that did that around my former small yard. I am concerned at introducing what could be an invasive species here in the Redwood forest (Pampas grass is a huge problem on the California coast and a bit inland.)
I think any medicinal or beneficial plants are a good thing to grow no matter where we are. Pampas grass is just ornamental.
I love the flavor of Lemon Grass. I have not been able to find any fresh stalks here, and have started some in a pot. Thank you for the growing tips!
Wow! I just cooked chicken breasts for a chicken salad and the recipe called for lemongrass stalks for the cooking liquid. Delicate, delicious flavored chicken and broth! (Definitely saving the broth.) So I researched this wonderful aromatic “thing” and discovered you! Thanks for some great info and pics. My aunt used to grow this years ago but used it for tea; I like it for cooking! Am definitely planning to get some in the ground soon; I’m in zone 10. One question though — has anyone reused the stalks? Like they seem intact and still smell wonderful after using them in the poaching liquid. Anyhow, was it worth my while to save them?
I live in southern Nevada, my lemongrass is doing very well with other herbs. I use it in veggie receipts, teas and salads. Love it.
I love the flavour of lemongrass.
By the way, it is citronella that is supposed to drive away mosquitoes and not lemongrass. They look the same but smell very different. Citronella is not used for cooking purposes.
Lemongrass and citronella do not look the same.
Like Sandi said. They do not look the same. And YES lemon grass does repel mosquitos. A lot of lemon scented plants do that. Lemon balm ( but be careful it can be very invasive. There is a variety ” Citronella balm” that has the highest concentration of citronella). Lemon verbena. There are many plants that repel mosquitos, you would be surprised!
We use lemongrass is some sort oil mixed with water in a spray bottle to keep away mats I am bugs while we ride our horses in the mountains of East Tennessee. We use it on our campsite, our horses, on ourselves, love it smells so good to o.
What about keeping the lemongrass trimmed? I have heard you should cut the plant down low
Great post.
I have a big clump in my yard in south Florida which I’ve had for a couple years. Am I supposed to cut it back in the fall? I haven’t been cutting back and the plants develop a kind of joint like a new younger plant growing out of the top of the older stalk. Also, my stalks don’t grow thick like the ones in the market. I guess the clump is about 3 or 4 years old.
I have lot of lemongrass plant. But not use our society. I want to sell this product or its plant, but we have no market.
I live in Iowa and have two huge lemon grass plants growing in flower beds that I planted at the beginning of the summer from starter plants. I didn’t know at the time that they are not perennial here because of the winters. Should I dig them up and keep them inside for the winter or just start over next year?
In central Texas my lemongrass plant is huge. It dies back every winter, I cut off all the dead leaves to the ground and it comes back every spring. I’ve never seen any seeds on it. I’m going to try the stems in a recipe, I’ve made tea with the leaves before. I’m also going to see if I can dig up a couple stems and grow some more.
Great article on how to start growing lemongrass. My question is, how do you get the stalks to thicken up? I have been growing several bunches of lemongrass all spring and summer and the stalks have not grown in thickness. I took the largest one to get the pulp out of to cook with some fish, which was great, but just not enough to go very far. Since then I have divided up the bunches in order to grow more, yet the stalks are not getting thick, just longer leaves. What should I be doing? Thanks for any insight.
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must cook it with chicken curry and suck the lemon grass,WOW!
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I just read your lemon grass post and I must tell you that your not purchasing different varieties of lemon grass, the red you have in your grass is actually a virus and needs to be treated as it will turn the roots red and the virus will spread. I grow grasses in Florida and I am very familiar with grass viruses. You may want to treat them before it spreads.
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My dogs love eating lemongrass. I grow it in a large container amd transplant it every time i find and even larger container I never posted this before. Lemongrass also has steroidal qualities
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Where do you find the seeds on lemon grass
I have lot of lemongrass plant. But not use our society. I want to sell this product or its plant, but we have no market.
I think we can put lemongrass in Tea?
I like reading through a post that will make people think.
Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
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I’m glad I found this, I bought some lemongrass from the local supermarket yesterday and didn’t know how to get my two little stalks into a big bunch of lemongrass. I’ve put them in water to grow roots, fingers crossed! Thank you!
For those looking to buy seeds , I bought a package of Lemongrass seeds from Migardener.com for 99 cents last year. I have grown them and am very pleased. They have red near the bottom of the stalk. Looking forward to harvesting and preserving for the winter. Plan on using for tea and other cooking. Will research medicinal properties.
Been growing lemongrass for 4 years in eastern Tenn. I do cut them at the base for a delicious Thai Coco Cocktail (that I found online). I cut them now during Aug-Sept. I leave the pots on the deck until it turns to less than 50 deg. during the evening. Cut the leaves to about 4″, then leave in my heated garage during the winter in the sunlight; watering them 1-2X a month to keep from getting dried out. Transplant them to bigger pots next spring. It works. Get the new plants from a local nursery to ad to the new pots to increase crops. I am going to use more in cooking in future, Here’s the drink recipe:
Lemongrass syrup: 3 Stalks (only) Lemongrass coarsely chopped – 2 cups water-1 Cup sugar. Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer, partially covered for 15 minutes. Strain mixture and cool. Yield 2 cups-chill.
Fill shaker with ice. For 1 serving: Add 2-1/2 Oz. Coconut Rum, 1 Oz. Fresh squeezed Lime juice and 1-1 oz Lemongrass syrup. Shake about 30 seconds. Strain into martini glass. Garnish with lime slice or lemongrass.
oops! It should be 1-1/2 Oz Lemongrass syrup. in the recipe for Thai Coco Cocktail.
Thanks, great idea!
Thank for sharing. Very informative.
Just discovered this site looking for something else and excited to see the lemongrass feature. I’m back home in Canada for 20 years after spending 13 years in central Texas. I once took a herbal workshop in Austin and learned about the lemongrass variety Cymbopogon Citratus. We learned how to make a tisanne/tea from the leaves that was an amazing relaxant. I miss it and after reading comments here have decided to grow some again, this time hopefully from seeds and bring it indoors to a heated garage over winter, as someone commented. Thanks for the information from all your comments.
How cool!
Can you grow lemongrass in an old tree trunk? We have an old sycamore we cut down and still have the trunk.
Thank you for all the good comments on lemongrass. I live in Hawaii so the climate is perfect for growing it. After repotting my plants I managed to make four more pots. I have so much and tried to give it to neighbors but they weren’t interested. I use the thick part for making curry or soup and the leaves for tea. I’ve not seen seeds on my plants. Cane someone tell me if the leaves have to be dried before making it for tea. I’ve been using fresh leaves?
thanks for nice article .
Hello Lyndsey, did you plant the lemongrass, and did it work to control mosquitos? If so, what part of your garden did you planted?
I used to grow them in the past but my cat likes to eat the leaves.