Lemongrass is a tropical herb that adds a refreshing lemony flavor to many Asian dishes. While it thrives outdoors in warm climates, lemongrass can also be grown successfully indoors in pots. This allows anyone to enjoy fresh lemongrass for cooking, even if you don’t have a garden.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn how to grow lemongrass in pots step-by-step, with plenty of pictures to illustrate the process.
Choosing the Right Pot for Growing Lemongrass
The most important consideration when selecting a pot for lemongrass is size. Lemongrass has an expansive root system and can grow quite tall. For one plant choose a pot that’s at least 12 inches wide and 12 inches deep. This provides enough space for the roots to spread out.
Ideal pots for lemongrass include:
- Terra cotta or ceramic pots – Allow air flow to the roots
- Fabric grow bags – Air prune escaping roots
Avoid using small plastic pots, as the roots may break through the sides as the plant grows.
Lemongrass growing in a terra cotta pot
Lemongrass growing happily in a terra cotta pot. Image via Don LaVange, CC BY-SA 2.0
For best results, plant just one lemongrass stalk per pot. This gives each plant enough space to develop into a healthy clump.
Getting Lemongrass Starts for Your Pots
You have a few options for obtaining lemongrass transplants for your pots:
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Division: If you or a friend have an existing lemongrass plant, divide it up and replant separated stalks and roots in pots. Look for sections with abundant healthy roots.
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Rooting lemongrass stalks: Buy fresh lemongrass stalks from the grocery store. Cut off the top leaves and place the stalks in water to root the bases. Once roots are 1-2 inches long, plant in pots.
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From seeds: You can also start lemongrass from seeds indoors. Plant 2-3 seeds per pot, 1⁄4 inch deep. Thin out extra seedlings. Grow lights may be needed for starting seeds.
Dividing plants or rooting store-bought stalks will likely be faster than growing lemongrass from seeds. But seeds can work if you don’t have access to an existing plant.
Lemongrass seedlings. Image by Imaas181 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Using the Right Potting Mix
Lemongrass thrives in a nutrient-rich, well-draining potting mix. The ideal pH range is 6.5-7.0. Look for a quality commercial potting mix made for herbs and vegetables. Or make your own mix by blending:
- 1 part compost
- 1 part coconut coir
- 1 part composted wood chips
Add dolomite lime or wood ash to lower pH if the mix is too acidic. Mix in perlite or sand to improve drainage as needed. Moisten the soil before planting.
Where to Place Your Lemongrass Pots
Lemongrass requires at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Grow pots outdoors in a sunny spot during warm seasons. Bring pots inside when temperatures drop below 50°F.
You can also grow lemongrass year-round indoors near a sunny window. Rotate pots regularly to ensure even light exposure. Supplement natural light with grow lights in winter.
Keep pots in a warm spot between 65-86°F. Lemongrass growth may decline in cooler indoor conditions. Moving pots to a sunroom or conservatory in winter can help maintain warmth.
Lemongrass pots growing on a patio
Lemongrass thriving in pots on an outdoor patio. Image via Erin Fado on Pinterest
Watering and Fertilizing Lemongrass in Pots
Lemongrass requires consistently moist (but not soggy) soil. Check soil daily, watering whenever the top 1-2 inches become dry. Fully drench pots until water drains from the bottom.
Soil dries out faster in pots than the ground. You may need to water pots daily in hot weather. Reduce watering frequency in winter.
Feed actively growing lemongrass every 1-2 weeks with balanced liquid fertilizer or use slow-release granular fertilizer as directed. This provides the nutrients needed for vigorous growth.
Harvesting Lemongrass from Pots
Snip outer stalks near the base whenever they reach 1⁄2 inch diameter. Frequent harvesting prevents overgrowth and encourages new shoots.
In warmer climates, harvest lemongrass year-round. Only take 1/3 of stalks at each harvest to maintain plant health.
Allow lemongrass to flower in autumn to enjoy the beautiful lavender blooms. Trim back browned foliage at season end. Mulch pots with straw to protect roots from freezing.
Let lemongrass flower in fall to enjoy the lovely blooms. Image by Hectonichus via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Dividing Overgrown Potted Lemongrass
If lemongrass outgrows its pot, divide the plant in early spring or fall. Gently remove from the pot and carefully separate into pieces, keeping the root ball intact on each section. Replant divisions in new pots with fresh potting mix.
Dividing every few years encourages healthy plants and more abundant harvests long-term. This routine maintenance will keep potted lemongrass thriving for years to come!
Troubleshooting Common Lemongrass Problems
While relatively easy to grow, a few issues can arise with lemongrass in pots:
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Slow growth: This often results from cool temps or insufficient light. Move pots into direct sun or under grow lights. Keep indoor temperatures warm.
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Yellow/drooping leaves: Overwatering causes root rot and wilting. Allow soil to dry out between waterings and reduce frequency.
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Small new growth: Underfertilizing leads to stunted plants. Fertilize regularly to encourage vigorous growth. Repot in fresh soil if nutrients are depleted.
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Browning leaf tips: Hot, dry air causes leaf burn. Increase humidity by misting daily or placing pots on pebble trays.
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Few stalks: Harvest outer stalks frequently to promote new shoots. Also, divide overcrowded plants.
Follow the tips in this guide for an abundant harvest of homegrown lemongrass. The ornamental grassy plants also make a lovely indoor plant. Getting started with lemongrass in pots is easy if you follow these simple steps.
Growing Lemongrass in Pots || #shorts
FAQ
Does lemongrass like sun or shade?
Lemongrass likes it hot, so grow it in an area with full sun and fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. Space plants 24 inches apart.
Does lemongrass grow well in pots?
To grow lemongrass in pots, choose a 5-gallon or larger container (minimum 14 inches across). Use too small a pot, and lemongrass roots will likely break it. With ample water and fertilizer, these roots bulk up and spread out. Fill pots with a commercial potting mix designed for use in containers.
What does lemongrass look like full grown?
If you don’t have space indoors over winter, simply treat it as an annual and grow fresh plants every spring. Allowed to grow from year to year, lemon grass will form a large clump of narrow evergreen leaves up to 120cm (4ft) tall, coarse in texture and blue-green in colour.
What not to plant with lemon grass?
Rosemary and sage are also poor companion plants for lemongrass, mostly because they all require different environmental conditions that are at odds with how …Nov 24, 2024
How do you grow lemongrass in a pot?
To grow lemongrass in pots, you need to choose a container that is at least 12 inches (30 cm) wide and 12 inches (30 cm) deep. Place this in a sunny spot and water regularly to ensure the soil does not dry out. Harvest regularly or trim the plant to stop it from outgrowing its container.
How big should a lemongrass pot be?
Lemongrass has a large, spreading root system and can grow quite tall For one plant, select a pot that is at least 12 inches wide and 12 inches deep This will provide enough room for the roots to establish themselves. Terra cotta and ceramic pots work well, as they allow airflow to the roots.
Which Lemongrass is best for cooking?
East Indian Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus): Commonly used for essential oils. West Indian Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus): Preferred for cooking and teas. If you plan to use lemongrass for culinary purposes, opt for the West Indian variety. 2. Materials Needed 3. Planting Lemongrass in Pots
How to grow lemongrass indoors?
Check out this guide about LED grow light for indoor plants. Always check the moisture level of the soil of your container. Lemongrass needs a good supply of water and plants usually require an extra amount of water in a pot. So keep watering the plants and do not let the soil to dry all the way. Use fertilizer if necessary.
How many lemongrass plants can you grow in a container?
Ideally, transplant into larger-sized pots or grow bags and plant between 5-10 young plants per container. Lemongrass grows in clumps, making it easy to grow new plants by division. And if you have an established lemongrass plant, harvest time is an ideal time to divide your plant.
Can lemongrass be grown year-round?
Lemongrass can be grown year-round, even in colder climates. You can plant and grow lemongrass from seed, division, or by propagating individual stalks (cuttings). Growing lemongrass year-round in colder regions involves growing in pots, containers, grow bags, and your garden.