Common Name: Lemongrass
Scientific Name: Cymbopogon citratus
Areas of the United States Found in Nature
Lemongrass is primarily grown in warm, tropical, or subtropical regions of the United States, such as Florida, Texas, and California. It is not typically found growing wild but is cultivated in gardens and farms due to its culinary and medicinal uses.
How to Identify It
Lemongrass is a tall, grassy plant with long, slender, and arching leaves that are bright green and have a strong lemon scent when crushed. The plant forms dense clumps and can grow up to 3-5 feet tall. It has a bulbous base and the stalks are firm and fibrous, resembling scallions or green onions.
How and When to Harvest for the Highest Medicinal Value
Harvest Lemongrass stalks when they are at least half an inch thick, typically in the late summer or early fall. Cut the stalks near the base, using a sharp knife or scissors. The thick lower stalks are the most flavorful and medicinally potent parts of the plant. Always leave a few stalks in place to ensure the plant continues growing.
How to Preserve the Herb for Future Use
Lemongrass can be preserved by drying or freezing:
Drying
Cut the stalks into small pieces and air-dry them in a warm place away from direct sunlight, or use a dehydrator set to a low temperature. Store the dried lemongrass in airtight containers away from light and moisture.
Freezing
Chop the stalks into small pieces and place them in airtight bags or containers. Freeze them to retain their flavor and medicinal properties for several months.
Medicinal Uses
Lemongrass is commonly used for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. It is known to aid digestion, relieve pain, reduce fever, and improve circulation. Lemongrass is often used in teas, essential oils, and culinary dishes.
Tea
Boil a few pieces of Lemongrass in water for 5-10 minutes. Strain and enjoy as a soothing beverage that aids digestion, reduces bloating, and relieves stress.
Essential Oil
Lemongrass oil is extracted from the leaves and stalks and can be used in aromatherapy, massage, or as an insect repellent. It is also applied topically to help with muscle pain, headaches, and fungal infections.
Culinary Uses
Lemongrass is widely used in cooking, especially in Asian cuisines, to add a fresh, citrus flavor to soups, curries, and stir-fries.
How to Propagate for Annual Use in Your Garden
Lemongrass can be propagated from seeds, division, or from stalks purchased at the grocery store.
From Seed
Sow Lemongrass seeds indoors in late winter or early spring. Use a seed-starting mix and keep the soil consistently moist. Transplant the seedlings outdoors once the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
By Division
Divide mature Lemongrass plants in the spring. Dig up the plant and gently separate the clumps, each with several stalks and roots. Replant the divisions in rich, well-draining soil with full sun, spacing them about 2 feet apart.
From Stalks
Place store-bought Lemongrass stalks in a glass of water, ensuring the base of the stalks is submerged. Change the water every few days, and roots will begin to form in about a week. Once roots are established, plant the stalks in the garden or in pots.
How to Over-Winter the Plant
In colder climates, Lemongrass can be grown in pots and brought indoors during the winter.
Indoor Care
Place the potted Lemongrass in a sunny window and water sparingly, just enough to keep the soil from drying out completely. Lemongrass does not like to sit in waterlogged soil, so ensure good drainage.
Outdoor Care
If left outdoors, cut Lemongrass back to about 6 inches above the ground and mulch heavily to protect the roots from frost. In zones where temperatures drop significantly, it is best to bring the plant indoors or treat it as an annual and replant each year.
In the spring, move the plant back outdoors after the last frost. Lemongrass will thrive again with warmth and full sun.
