grow, harvest, & use your own lemongrass

how to...

Space: Lemongrass matures into a fairly large plant, 5-6' tall x 5' wide.

Step 1. Plan

It looks like pampas grass and also has sharp grass blades/leaves.

Step 1. Plan

Lemongrass is a tropical plant, but can be grown in cooler climates or in pots.

Step 1. Plan

You can buy starter lemongrass from: a) nursery/seller, or b) an Asian grocery.

Step 2: Propagate

We buy them from an Asian grocery & root them in soil.

Step 2: Propagate

Zone 6 or lower? Get your lemongrass started 2+ months before last frost date!

Step 2: Propagate

After your last frost date, it’s time to transplant lemongrass to the garden

Step 3: Transplant

1. Select full sun spot 2. Amend soil with compost/worm castings 3. Cover soil with 2-3” mulch layer

Step 3: Transplant - Tips

Lemongrass is low-maintenance. Make sure it gets 1” water per week.

Step 4: Tend

Harvest lemongrass stalks whenever you need them throughout the season.

Step 5: Harvest

For eating, use clippers to cut stalks near base.

Step 5: Harvest

Late season? Consider pulling or digging stalks with roots to overwinter.

Step 5: Harvest

Cut overwintering stalks to 5”, place in pot, and bring indoors until next year.

Step 5: Harvest

The thick juicy stalks can be used in soups, curries, sauces, and more.

Step 6. Eat

Asian-inspired soup with lemongrass broth

The papery leaves can be used in teas.

Step 6. Eat

Lemongrass harvested for eating (left) & replanting (right)

Try our maitake mushroom soup inspired by Thai tom kha gai!

Step 6. Eat

Interested in reading more about growing lemongrass? 

Use the link below to check out the full article!