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It's easy to Grow Your Own Lemon Grass

The lemon grass we see most often in markets and nurseries is West Indian lemon grass, Cymbopogon citrates, a native of Western India and Ceylon. East Indian lemon grass, Cymbopogon flexuosus, is native to India.

Herb grower Sui Lin Robinson says the two are similar in fragrance and flavor. Stalks of West Indian lemon grass, however, are wider at the base. Since this is the part of the stalk that is used in cooking, many people prefer to grow West Indian lemon grass.

According to Robinson, if you can grow lawn grass, you can grow lemon grass, a bunching grass that grows best in full sun. It is adaptable to many kinds of soil but appreciates a thick layer of mulch around the base.

Lemon grass can be grown in a large pot. Water it well during the warm months. Water sparingly in the cool months (fall through early spring). Fertilize occasionally during the warm months, if at all – too much fertilizer makes this rapid grower grow even faster. Lemon grass plants may reach 4 feet in height and width within two years. To keep the plant healthy, divide it every other spring or summer.

Cut old, dark leaves out of the clump. Tie a string around the remaining leaves to keep them in a tight bunch. Cut back the top third to half of the leaves, then dig out the plant at the roots. Use a spade to divide the root ball into several pieces. Save the damaged parts to cook with. Either replant the pieces in the ground or repot them.

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