How to grow Lemongrass

At a glance

🌱 Grow your Lemongrass with GardenDex

• Reminders to water it, timed to your weather and whether it's in a pot
• Frost and disease alerts for your garden, the night before
• Follow it from seed to harvest, and see what your garden grew in $
• Point your camera at any plant or bug to identify it

🗓️ When to plant

Plant after the last frost in spring when soil is warm, or in early summer in cooler climates. In tropical regions, plant at the start of the warm, wet season.

🌰 How to plant

1. Start from nursery transplants or divisions of mature plants (seeds are slow and inconsistent).
2. Dig a hole slightly wider than the root ball and plant at the same depth as it was growing.
3. Firm soil around the base and water thoroughly to settle the soil.
4. Space plants 30–45 cm apart to allow room for clumping growth.

💧 Care

• Water consistently, especially during hot or dry spells, to encourage tender leaf growth.
• Apply a 5 cm layer of mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Fertilize every 4–6 weeks during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or compost.
• Remove dead or yellowed outer leaves to promote new, tender growth and improve air circulation.

🧺 Harvest

Begin harvesting outer leaves once plants are 20–30 cm tall; pinch or cut leaves just above the base of the stem. Harvest year-round in tropical climates, or before the first frost in cooler regions by cutting the entire plant back to 5 cm above soil level.

🐛 Common problems

Spider mites: Spray foliage with water or neem oil in early morning to deter mites and improve humidity.

Root rot (in poorly drained soil): Improve drainage immediately and allow soil to dry slightly between waterings.

Rust or leaf spots: Remove affected leaves, improve air circulation, and avoid wetting foliage when watering.

🤝 Companion plants

💚 Good neighbours: Basil, Mint, Cilantro, Chamomile

⚠️ Keep apart from: Fennel, Dill

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