Lemon Grass Planting Guide

Plants with a Spicy History

Used since biblical times and famous for adding spicy lemony flavor to Thai and Indian dishes, Lemon grass is an easy and fun addition to adventuresome cooks' home gardens. This tasty perennial spice can be grown outdoors year round in warm climates, or potted and brought inside to over winter on a windowsill or in a cool garage in cold parts of the country.

Outdoor Beds

1. Find a location where the soil drains well. If there are still water puddles 5-6 hours after a hard rain, scout out another site or amend the soil with generous additions of peat moss, perlite and course sand to improve the drainage. Lemon grass plants prefer soils that provide average moisture, but are not water logged. 

2. Site your lemon grass where it will receive the sun all or most of the day for the most robust growth. Lemon grass will grow in light shade but will struggle in full shade.

3. Dig a hole a bit larger than the pot, loosen the soil and place your plant in the hole with the soil level even with that of the hole's edge. Firm soil around the plant. Mature plants grow large so provide space for a clump that is several feet tall and a foot to a foot and a half across at the base.

4. Water generously, soaking the soil and settling it around the roots.

5. Water periodically during the growing season if rain does not occur, but keep in mind that weekly deep waterings are better than lighter drinks every day or two.

6. To harvest, cut a few blades of the side of the plant with a sharp trowel, driving the tool downwards. Use the bulb and the first 6" of pale stalk for recipes. The green blades can be used for tea (sun tea is especially good) and cooked in soups.

7. At the end of the season, simply leave your lemongrass in the ground if you live in zones 8-10. Freezing weather may kill to top growth but the plant will resprout with spring warmth. In colder areas, overwinter your containered plant(s) in a cool, but not subzero, garage or on a windowsill indoors.

Pots, Tubs & Urns

1.  Fill your containers with well-drained potting soil that includes peat moss, perlite and course sand in equal proportions. Make sure there are adequate drainage holes in your pots; lemon grass must never sit in waterlogged soil.

2. Site your lemon grass where it will receive direct sun all or most of the day for the most robust growth. Lemon grass will grow in light shade but will struggle in full shade.

3. Dig a hole a bit larger than the pot, loosen the soil and place your plant in the hole with the soil level even with that of the hole's edge. Firm soil around the plant. Mature plants grow large so select a container that allows for a clump that is several feet tall and a foot to a foot and a half across at the base.

4. Water generously, soaking the soil and settling it around the roots.

5. Water periodically during the growing season if rain does not occur, but keep in mind that weekly deep waterings are better than lighter drinks every day or two.

6. To harvest, cut a few blades of the side of the plant with a sharp trowel, driving the tool downwards. Use the bulb and the first 6" of pale stalk for recipes. The green blades can be used for tea (sun tea is especially good) and cooked in soups.

7. At the end of the season, simply leave your lemongrass in the ground if you live in zones 8-10. Freezing weather may kill to top growth but the plant will resprout with spring warmth. In colder areas, over winter your containered plant(s) in a cool, but not subzero, garage or on a windowsill indoors.

Note: like many sturdy grasses, lemon grass blades are sharp along the edges. Wearing gloves will help you avoid little "paper cuts" when harvesting.