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Herb growing guide
Lemongrass is a tall, clump-forming tropical grass cut repeatedly for its fragrant leaves. West Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) rarely sets seed, so lemongrass grown from seed is usually East Indian lemongrass (C. flexuosus), which sprouts within a week in warm, moist soil.
Check which lemongrass you have. West Indian lemongrass (C. citratus), the common kitchen type, flowers very rarely or not at all in most places and is propagated by dividing clumps. East Indian lemongrass (C. flexuosus) is grown in India mainly from seed. Both are used in much the same way. Seed loses viability if stored for more than a year, so sow it fresh.
Not needed. The light grass seed has no hard coat.
Not needed. Lemongrass is a tropical grass and needs warmth, not cold.
Not part of Indian nursery practice. The seed is light and fluffy; mixing it with fine sand makes it easier to spread evenly.
Sow into warm soil. In India, nurseries are sown at the onset of the monsoon. In cooler climates, start seed indoors in warmth and plant out only after the danger of frost has passed; growth stays slow until summer heat arrives.
Sow on raised beds 1-1.5 m (3-5 ft) wide, in lines about 10 cm (4 in) apart, and cover with only a thin layer of soil.
A fine, well-prepared seedbed enriched with leaf mould or well-rotted farmyard manure; in trays, a light seed compost.
Water right after sowing and keep the bed moist until the seedlings are established. Indian practice sometimes covers the bed with cut grass to hold moisture.
Bright light and full sun as soon as seedlings appear.
About 5-6 days for East Indian lemongrass in the National Horticulture Board (NHB) crop profile.
Seedlings are ready after about 60 days; PROSEA gives 50-70 days, at the 3-4 leaf stage. Trim the tops to about 15-20 cm (6-8 in) before planting. NHB spacings are 40 x 30 to 40 x 60 cm (16 x 12 to 16 x 24 in), depending on soil fertility; on high-rainfall sites plant on ridges.
Water after planting and keep weeds down until the clumps close in. Once a plant has formed a clump, you can multiply it by dividing it into rooted slips; this is the only practical way to propagate West Indian lemongrass.
Lemongrass likes sunny, warm, humid conditions; PROSEA gives an optimum average daytime temperature of 23-30 °C (73-86 °F) for West Indian lemongrass, and the crop needs plenty of rain or irrigation.
Sources differ on timing: NHB gives the first harvest 4-6 months after transplanting, PROSEA about 6-8 months after planting. After that, cut every 60-70 days (NHB). Cut about 10 cm (4 in) above the ground.
For cooking stems, pull or cut individual outer shoots at the base once the clump is established, leaving the rest to keep growing.
A planting can be cut for several years; PROSEA reports 4-6 years for commercial West Indian lemongrass.
Sow lemongrass in warm, moist soil and cut fragrant leaves for years.
Rarely. Cymbopogon citratus flowers very rarely and seldom sets seed, so it is propagated by dividing clumps. Seed-grown lemongrass is usually East Indian lemongrass, C. flexuosus, used in much the same way.
About 5-6 days for East Indian lemongrass in a warm, moist nursery bed. Seed more than a year old loses viability.
Often, yes: stalks with part of the root plate left on may root in water or potting mix within two or three weeks.
Not where it freezes; frost is normally fatal. Grow it in a pot and keep it indoors through cold weather.
