Lemongrass Live Starter Plants – Cymbopogon citratus – Fragrant Culinary Herb

Overview

Bring the vibrant flavors and aromas of Southeast Asia to your home with a lemongrass live plant. This essential tropical herb, scientifically known as Cymbopogon citratus, is cherished worldwide for its distinct lemon-citrus fragrance and culinary versatility. Our starter plants are young, actively rooting specimens, ready to thrive in your garden or containers. Lemongrass is not only a staple in Asian cuisine, used in soups, curries, and teas, but also serves as an effective natural mosquito repellent due to its citronella-like properties. Its tall, graceful foliage adds an exotic touch to any landscape, making it a beautiful and useful addition to your home. Whether you’re an avid cook, a tea enthusiast, or simply seeking a fragrant, low-maintenance plant, this fragrant herb plant offers a rewarding growing experience.

These young lemongrass live plant starters are carefully prepared for shipping, ensuring they arrive healthy and ready for planting. While they may appear young, they establish quickly in warm conditions, growing into robust, productive plants. Embrace the joy of gardening with this versatile and aromatic herb.

Key Benefits

Adding a lemongrass plant to your home garden offers a multitude of advantages, from enhancing your culinary creations to providing natural pest control and aesthetic appeal. Experience the freshness and utility of this remarkable herb:

• Culinary Excellence: The stalks of the lemongrass live plant are a cornerstone of Asian cooking, imparting a bright, citrusy flavor to dishes like curries, stir-fries, and soups. Fresh lemongrass elevates meals with its unique aroma and taste.
• Herbal Tea Delight: Enjoy soothing and aromatic herbal teas made from fresh lemongrass stalks or leaves. Lemongrass tea is known for its refreshing qualities and is a popular beverage in many cultures.
• Natural Mosquito Repellent: The distinctive scent of Cymbopogon citratus acts as a natural deterrent for mosquitoes, making it an excellent choice for planting near patios or windows to create a fragrant, protective border. This makes it an ideal mosquito repellent plant.
• Ornamental Appeal: With its tall, arching, fountain-like foliage, lemongrass adds a beautiful, tropical aesthetic to garden beds, borders, or large containers. It provides an attractive vertical element and lush greenery.
• Easy to Grow: Lemongrass is a relatively low-maintenance herb, especially in warm climates. It tolerates various soil types and is quite resilient once established, making it suitable for gardeners of all experience levels.
• Aromatic Garden Addition: The refreshing citrus aroma released by brushing against the leaves or harvesting the stalks creates a pleasant and invigorating atmosphere in your garden space.
• Versatile Use: Beyond culinary and pest control, some cultures use lemongrass in traditional remedies and aromatherapy, highlighting the broad utility of this culinary lemongrass.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Growing a lemongrass live plant is a rewarding experience, particularly if you provide it with the right conditions. This tropical herb thrives in warmth and sunshine. For optimal growth, ensure your lemongrass receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily; full sun exposure is ideal. In cooler climates, it can be grown as an annual or brought indoors during winter months. It is perennial in USDA zones 10-11, where temperatures rarely drop below freezing. When planting, choose a location with well-draining, rich, loamy soil that has a slightly acidic pH (6.0–7.0). Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot.

Watering should be consistent; keep the soil moist but never soggy. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely, especially during hot weather. Planting is best done after the last frost, when soil temperatures are consistently above 65°F (18°C). While the plant is generally robust, some yellowing may occur during cooler periods, but it will quickly recover with warmth. Fertilize every few weeks during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer to encourage lush growth. Harvesting the outer stalks once the plant reaches 12-18 inches tall will stimulate new growth, ensuring a continuous supply of this fragrant herb. Protect your fragrant herb plant from frost, as severe cold can damage it, though it may regrow from the base in warmer conditions.

Size & Details

You will receive lemongrass live plant starter specimens, typically rooted or actively rooting, and trimmed for safe transit. These young plants are ready to establish quickly in your garden or containers. While initial size may vary, when mature, lemongrass can reach heights of 3 to 5 feet with a spread of 2 to 3 feet, forming dense clumps of upright foliage. It has a moderate to fast growth rate under ideal conditions. These plants are shipped without a pot to reduce waste and shipping costs, ensuring you receive healthy, viable starters. With proper care, your Cymbopogon citratus will grow into a productive and beautiful addition to your landscape, providing ample stalks for your culinary and aromatic needs. Expect significant growth during warm summer months.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does a lemongrass live plant get? A: A mature lemongrass live plant can typically grow between 3 to 5 feet tall and spread 2 to 3 feet wide, forming an attractive, fountain-like clump of foliage. The starter plants you receive are young and will reach this size with proper care.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Lemongrass thrives outdoors in warm, tropical climates (USDA zones 10-11) as a perennial. In cooler zones, it can be grown as an annual outdoors or cultivated indoors in a sunny spot during colder months.
• Q: How much sunlight does lemongrass need? A: Lemongrass requires full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, for optimal growth and vigor. It will tolerate partial sun but may not grow as robustly.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, Cymbopogon citratus is considered relatively easy to care for, especially in warm, humid conditions. Its main requirements are ample sunlight, consistent moisture, and well-draining soil.
• Q: What condition will the lemongrass arrive in? A: Your lemongrass live plant starters will arrive rooted or actively rooting and trimmed for safe shipping. During cooler months, some yellowing of leaves is normal, but the plants will rebound quickly once planted in warm, bright conditions.
• Q: Can I use this fragrant herb plant in cooking? A: Absolutely! This fragrant herb plant is primarily used in cooking, particularly in Southeast Asian cuisine. Its stalks impart a refreshing citrus flavor to soups, curries, teas, and stir-fries.
• Q: When is the best time to plant lemongrass? A: The best time to plant lemongrass outdoors is after the last frost of the season, when soil temperatures are consistently above 65°F (18°C). This allows the plant to establish itself in warm conditions.
• Q: Will this plant help repel mosquitoes? A: Yes, lemongrass is well-known for its natural mosquito-repelling properties due to compounds similar to citronella. Planting it near outdoor seating areas can help deter mosquitoes, making it an effective mosquito repellent plant.
• Q: What type of soil does culinary lemongrass prefer? A: Culinary lemongrass prefers well-draining, rich, loamy soil with a slightly acidic pH (6.0–7.0). Good drainage is essential to prevent waterlogging and root issues.
• Q: How often should I water my lemongrass? A: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely, especially during hot, dry periods.