Lemongrass

Category: medicinal-herbs

Growing

  • 📍 Zone: 9-11 (grown as annual or indoor plant in cooler zones)
  • 🌞 Sun: Full sun
  • 💧 Water: Moderate; prefers moist, well-drained soil
  • 🌱 Soil: Rich, well-draining soil with good organic matter

Planting

  • 📏 Height: 3-6 feet
  • 📏 Spacing: 24 inches apart
  • 📅 When To Plant: Plant after last frost when soil is warm; can start indoors earlier
  • 🌱 Propagation: By division or root cuttings; can also start from seed but less common
  • ⬇️ Depth: Plant divisions or root cuttings about 2 inches deep
  • 🤝 Companion:
    • 0: Basil (both prefer warm growing conditions)
    • 1: Tomatoes (lemongrass may help repel pests)
  • 🚫 Avoid Planting Near:

    Care & Maintenance

    • ✂️ Pruning: Trim stalks regularly to encourage bushier growth and remove dead foliage
    • 🪢 Staking Or Support: Not necessary
    • ❄️ Overwintering: In cooler zones, bring indoors or grow as annual; mulch heavily if left outside in borderline zones

    Harvesting & Usage

    • ⏰ When To Harvest: Harvest stalks when at least 1/2 inch thick and before flowering
    • ✋ How To Harvest: Cut stalks near the base with sharp scissors or pruners
    • 🥫 Preservation: Can be used fresh, or chopped and dried; freeze chopped stalks for long-term storage
    • ⚠️ Edible Or Toxic: Safe for culinary use; commonly used in teas, soups, and dishes
    • 🍴 Culinary: Widely used in Southeast Asian cuisine; adds citrusy flavor to soups, curries, and teas
    • 💊 Medicinal:
      • Digestive Aid: Used as a soothing tea to relieve indigestion, bloating, and stomach cramps.
      • Antimicrobial: Has natural antimicrobial properties, helpful for minor infections and oral hygiene.
      • Anti-inflammatory & Pain Relief: Traditionally used to reduce inflammation and alleviate headaches and muscle pain.
      • Anxiety & Sleep Aid: Lemongrass tea is calming and often consumed to reduce anxiety and promote sleep.
    • 🌸 Aromatic: Strong lemon scent used in aromatherapy, candles, and natural insect repellents

    Ecological Info

    • 🐝 Pollinators:
      • 0: Bees
      • 1: Butterflies
    • 🦌 Wildlife Resistance: Generally not favored by deer or rabbits due to strong aroma