Herbs
Lemongrass plant life is a great cosmetic pasture - and it tastes good too ! Our growing guide explains it all so you could spring up this culinary treat .
Contents
Anyone who likes Asian cookery is potential to be a fan of the lemongrass oil plant . With its lemony , slightly - bitter citrus flavor and aroma , it ’s usually used in food .
But what very few realize is that it ’s evenhandedly easy to produce at abode if you ’re in a strong mood . Even cooler - clime gardeners can maturate it outside during the late outpouring and summertime . It ’s easy to bring a little thud indoors for the cold-blooded months , allowing you to grow it twelvemonth - circular !
So get ’s research the citrusy sensation that is lemon weed . Not only is it good for food for thought , it ’s expectant in the landscape !
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Overview
All About Lemon Grass
If you ’ve ever smell a citrusy , lemony odor around grandiloquent clump of sharp - march Gunter Grass , you ’re in luck . Chances are that you ’ve found a cymbopogon species … and it might be tasty , too !
While there ’s a very spacious variety of plants in the genus Cymbopogon , only a couple are lemongrass . Many varieties do have that classifiable fragrance , but that does n’t make them edible . have ’s explore the edible variety in a bit more detail .
Which Cymbopogons Are Lemongrass?
Two species are what we choose when we opt to grow lemongrass . These two plant are very closely colligate , and leave a slightly - acrid lemony flavor .
Cymbopogon citratus ‘ West Indian lemongrass ’ , ‘ Lemon grass ’
Far and wide , this species is the most popular for culinary use . It can grow to reach top of up to six feet tall . Often , it will spread to reach 3 - 4 feet wide as well . It originates in southeastern Asia .
Like most dope , it emerges as a dense , circular clump with long , shrill - border vane . Hidden in the base are many stems which , when the leaf are removed , are edible . A popular ornamental plant as well , lemon grass can act as a centerpiece industrial plant or as a tall border .
Its lemony scent when sun - warmed can make for a bright and endearing aroma in your garden . Pairing this plant with other redolent herbs may offer modified pest - repellent potency .
Cymbopogon flexuosus , ‘ Malabar grass ’ , ‘ Cochin grass ’ , ‘ East Indian Lemon grass ’
This is nearly related to the West Amerindic potpourri , but is often film for an ornamental pot . While it is not as distinguishable in flavour , it can be used for food as well . Its stem bases are narrower than the West Native American eccentric , and the bulbous ending modest .
What this industrial plant excels in is producing of the essence crude . Anyone who want to distil their own lemongrass oil crude will find this to be perfect . The petroleum from this plant are used widely in culinary and skin care product use . It provides a lemony olfactory property or flavor to all manner of commercial goods .
Specimens of this plant have extend to a peak of most ten feet , but it averages in the six to seven fundament range of mountains . Origins of this industrial plant range from India to Thailand .
Other Closely-Related Species
Cymbopogon nardus ‘ Citronella weed ’
usually call citronella grass , this relative is n’t edible . rather , it ’s a lemony - smelling grass that ’s grown for its essential oil . Harkening from the tropic regions of Asia , it ’s becoming more popular in garden .
The works naturally acts as a very mild bug repellant while awake by produce a light citrusy perfume . The oil raise from its foliage and stems is far more powerful , and often in topical insect repellents .
If not maintain in check , it can spread fast , often bordering on incursive . In pasture situation , it can prove to be a major problem , as cattle wo n’t range on it no matter if it ’s in with child provision .
Caring For Your Plant
While not particularly demanding , rise lemongrass requires a few thing – lots of sunshine , veritable watering , and effective soil . Your plants will arise to brilliant peak if you offer the right environs . Let ’s talk about lemon skunk care and maintenance !
Light & Temperature
Full sun , at least 6 - 8 hour per mean solar day , is necessary for your lemongrass plant life to grow . It can tolerate partial shade if necessary , but does good in full sun conditions .
Temperature - wise , this plant ’s a tender - mood plant through and through . Anything below 40 degrees is a risk of severe plant damage and possibly destruction . freeze greatly damage lemon grass folio , and can drink down the plant if it gain the roots .
People in frigid climate will call for to bring their plant inside for the winter . It will promptly grow in a pot as long as it has near inflammation and coherent lachrymation . Select a 6″ wide , good for you cluster to disjoined and transplant for overwintering .
Water & Humidity
Do n’t allow the soil around your flora to completely dry out out during the growing season . Lemon grass really prefers damp soil at all time ! Place about 3 - 4″ of mulch around your plants to serve keep wet in the soil , and keep the grime damp to the touch .
Your plants will like a little extra humidity during hot weather as well . In fact , they ’re extremely tolerant of high-pitched humidness conditions . An occasional misting during dry weather will help oneself your plant to thrive .
If your soil dry out out too quickly , you may want to consider asoaker hoseunder the mulch bed . This slowly - seep irrigation system avail the dirt to take in moisture well without wasting water system .
Soil
Loose , fertile dirt is ideal for your lemongrass flora . Be sure it ’s well - draining but racy in organic cloth . keep off intemperately - pack clay soils , as it does n’t grow well in them .
A upright blend for spring up your lemon pot plant is two parts of loamy soil to one part compost . prove to use tumid - particle composts to improve the drainage of your soil . you’re able to add perlite if necessary , but the compost provide summate victuals .
Lemon grass is n’t very sensitive to soil pH. It will farm happily in multiple mountain chain .
Fertilizing
Fertilize your plants weekly . employ a half - strength result of a nitrogen - rich , body of water - soluble fertiliser . Do n’t apply the limpid fertiliser directly to the leaves of your plant . Instead , weewee around the base of the plant .
This fertilization should be done throughout the summertime and early downslope month . June through September is recommend , as that ’s when the flora ’s actively growing . These regular fertilizing sessions will keep your plant life good for you through the hot time of year .
If you do n’t have a urine - soluble fertilizer that will go , propose for a tiresome - release granular formula . Balanced will work , but ideally an 8 - 6 - 6 would be perfect . This give way a little supererogatory atomic number 7 to the plant to aid in stalk development .
Propagation
Generally , lemon grass plants are propagated from seed or by partition . Let ’s babble about these method in more item .
When you have a large plant life , you could look at dividing it into modest clumps . This allows your plant to have more room to continue growing , ensuring large plants .
To do this , cautiously take away the entire plant from the dirt , being sure not to damage the roots . Dust off excess land , then tease obscure clump of stems and bulbs . You may need to use a sanitized knife to cut aside tangled roots . Replant the modest sections and allow them to get established again . Most citizenry opt to divide into 6″ clump of stems and leaf .
From seminal fluid , plants take up to 14 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. to germinate . you could begin harvesting item-by-item stalking after roughly 90 days . It ’s often beneficial to allow a plant up to 120 days , if only so it can begin to exposit .
Sow seed in moistened potting soil , just deep enough to continue the seeded player . Keep in a warm locating , using a seedling heating flatness if necessary . Once the plant has germinated , ensure it has a grow lamp or other uniform light for at least 8 hours a day .
Pruning & Harvesting
Pruning is actually an ongoing physical process for lemongrass oil . You will want to rake any dead textile forth from the bottom of your works . Dead stalks should be bump off solely when determine .
Damaged leaves can also be pruned at any time with aclean pair of pruning shear . Be careful , as the folio edges can be quite sharp ! have on asturdy pair of workplace gloveswhen handling this plant life .
In the early spring , before it set about combat-ready growth , a heavy clipping should pass off . lop the entire industrial plant back to a couplet inches above the white part of the chaff . Overwintered outdoor plants are specially in need of this trim . Any leave-taking which have wintertime chill damage will be removed then .
To reap your lemongrass for culinary use , look closely at the plant life . Select a healthy , thick stem , and carefully pull back the soil to expose the medulla oblongata - corresponding ending . Using a sharp knife , cut the stalk off just beneath its electric-light bulb to remove the intact stalk . Be certain to get the entire bulb , and if a few root amount up with it , it wo n’t harm the industrial plant .
Culinary Lemongrass Storage
To hive away freshly - reap culinary lemongrass , start by peeling off the sinewy forbidden layers . Expose the clean , reed - like internal stem and bulb . This is the part you will be saving — while the foliage have flavor , they ’re best used while presh .
Lay the lemon grass stems on a biscuit sheet and block until whole . Transfer into a moldable storage bag . Before using , melt them . Use the flatbed of your knife to trounce the stem and bulb before chopping them up .
Problems
Most of your problems will stem from discoloration . This can be cause by charge result , diseases , and occasionally pests . Very few of these will be fateful to your plant . Here ’s a short leaning of what to look out out for and discourse options in grammatical case one of these problems arises .
Growing Problems
Multiple thing can cause your lemon grass leaves tochange people of colour . If it’sunderwatered , leaf may begin to yellow or brown . Underfertilizationduring the participating growing time of year may also induce this . If this occurs during spring / summer , piddle more consistently and fertilize on a regular basis .
In zones 8a-9 , lemon grass may alsoturn reddish or brown in the fall . This is a mark of the works entering winter dormancy . mass in these zone should mulch heavily to keep the roots warm during the coolheaded season . Alternately , a clump of lemongrass oil can be fag up and replanted in a pot to winter indoors .
the great unwashed inclimates that are cold than zone 8ashould plan on bringing theirs indoors . This plant is susceptible to monumental cold harm and plant death in inhuman weather .
Pests
For those who grow their lemongrass indoors , spider mitescan become a trouble . More accurately , they can become a major prejudicious plague to your plant ’s leaves . Useneem oilor a mite nebuliser to pass over these out .
Theyellow sugarcane aphidand a few other case of aphids can suck the sap out of lemon grass leave of absence . ok yellow spots often come out on the parting . Aphids can also spread industrial plant diseases , so it ’s authoritative to wipe these out quickly ! Neem oil or an insecticidal goop will get rid of these pestilence .
lastly , thegrass bagwormis a minor problem in some regions . While it does not kill its emcee plant , it can eat unattractive holes into the foresighted , discriminating leave . This bagworm is actually a moth larva , and a atomizer or dust of bacillus thurigiensis kills them off .
Diseases
A specific type ofrust , Puccinia nakanishikii , has been known to attack these plants . It can be difficult to control once established , so it ’s good to deflect it entirely . Do n’t wet the parting of your plant while tearing , instead watering at the flora ’s base . If you ascertain symptoms , choose for a liquified Cu fungicide or a biofungicide to solve it up . Remove any damaged leaves which show signs of the rust so it does n’t stay to spread .
Leaf blightcaused by rhizoctonia solani is not uncommon . This same pathogen can cause root rot as well . Leaves may acquire scandalmongering splotches . Root and stem harm is seeable as brown lesion near the soil ’s control surface . Plants may wilt in hot weather . This fungous disease can persist in the soil for year . Some forms of bacteria , mostly Trichoderma species , can slow its development . Use an inoculum in the dirt when planting . Also apply a piddle - soluble inoculant at least once early in the growing time of year .
Twofusarium strainscause leaf post & clump hogwash in lemongrass oil . Fusarium equisetti and fusarium verticillium are common and impact many types of plant life . Mycorrhizal and bacterial treatment is the most common form of trade protection against fusarium . Like rhizoctonia , fusarium fungi can hold up in the territory for a longsighted prison term .
Frequently Asked Questions
Q : Is lemongrass an annual or a perennial ?
A : In zona 10 & 11 , Cymbopogon citratus will stay green year - rotund . It ’s a perfect perennial in these environment which mimic its native range .
In zone 8a-9 , you’re able to manage to grow lemongrass as a perennial . The foliation may die back and wrench brownish . As long as the root social system is protect , it should recover in the spring .
Most other region grow lemongrass oil outdoors as an annual or seasonal works . When cooler weather arrives , a clump is brought indoors to winter in ardent temperature .
Q : Is lemongrass dependable around dogs and cats ?
A : In andiron and CAT , Cymbopogon citratus is known to cause belly disordered . It generally will not pop them , but they wo n’t be well-chosen . The hempen husk can also cause intestinal job if eat . Horses are at higher jeopardy , as they can develop respiration issue and weakness from this plant life . Keep your equine friends away from lemongrass !
Q : Does lemon sens repel mosquitos ?
A : Cymbopogon nardus , the Citronella grass , make three oily compounds which are believed to snub mosquitoes ( citronellol , citronellal , and geraniol ) . In limited quantity , other lemongrass variety show may also contain citronellol . regrettably for us , these only workplace in close reach . You know how you get chased by mosquitoes when you move out of the range of mountains of your citronella candle ? The plants have a standardized localise effect . grow citronella plant or lemon grass in your cubic yard may reduce its likelihood to be colonized by mosquito , but will not needfully repel them from your yard wholly . The region nearest to the sun - warmed plants may experience fewer mosquitoes than other parts .
The oils from citronella pasture can be distil and used to create insect repellent for topical use . As an oil , it ’s far more potent and efficacious .
Both ornamental gardeners and comestible gardeners will love their lemon green goddess . It is n’t a inflorescence plant , but it provides outstanding visual appeal in the landscape painting . Plus , that lovely aroma and good spirit make it worth growing even if you just want it to cook with . So consider farm your own lemongrass next season . You ’ll be glad you did !
