Where to Buy Lemongrass to Plant in Your Garden

Lemongrass is a tropical, grassy plant that is used for culinary and medicinal purposes. The citrusy, lemony flavor of lemongrass makes it a popular ingredient in many Asian, Caribbean, and Thai dishes. Lemongrass is also valued for its medicinal benefits, as it contains antioxidants and compounds that can help relieve pain and inflammation.

If you want to grow your own lemongrass, you’ll need to purchase plants or seeds. Here is some information on where to buy lemongrass and how to choose high-quality plants to grow.

Buying Lemongrass at Nurseries and Garden Centers

One of the best places to find lemongrass is at your local nursery or garden center. Many nurseries sell both lemongrass plants and seeds, giving you multiple options for establishing lemongrass in your garden.

When shopping for lemongrass at a nursery

• Look for plants with full, green foliage. Avoid any plants with yellowing, dried out leaves.

• Choose plants that stand upright, rather than drooping over. This indicates the plant is healthy.

• Look at the root system It should be well established but not heavily pot bound

• Opt for plants that are pest and disease free. Look out for spots, holes in leaves, webbing, etc.

• Buy mature plants that are at least 1-2 feet tall. Smaller, younger plants may struggle to establish.

• Consider buying several plants to create a dense clump of lemongrass.

Nurseries often sell lemongrass in 4-6 inch pots for just a few dollars per plant. Larger 1-2 gallon potted plants may cost $10-20.

Some popular nursery chains that sell lemongrass plants include:

• Home Depot
• Lowe’s
• Armstrong Garden Centers
• Pike Nurseries
• Ritchie’s Feed & Seed

Check with your local nurseries to see if lemongrass is currently in stock. Inventory fluctuates seasonally.

Purchasing Lemongrass at Garden Stores

In addition to traditional nurseries, many garden stores and plant shops also carry lemongrass. These retailers typically sell a variety of potted herbs, vegetables, and ornamental plants.

Stores to check for lemongrass include:

• Local garden centers or farmer’s cooperatives
• Urban nurseries or indoor plant stores
• Small, independent garden shops
• Stores like Whole Foods, Sprouts, or Trader Joe’s that sell live plants

The benefit of garden stores is you may find more unique or exotic varieties of lemongrass not carried by regular nurseries. However, their stock is often more limited than a full-scale nursery. Be prepared that lemongrass may sell out quickly at garden shops when they get it in stock.

Ordering Lemongrass Online

If you are having trouble finding lemongrass locally, consider ordering it online. Many plant nurseries now sell plants direct to consumers via their website or through online stores like Amazon.

Buying lemongrass online provides more options in terms of plant size, type, and quantities available. Ordering online also allows you to have plants delivered directly to your door.

When ordering lemongrass online:

• Stick to reputable nurseries that specialize in selling live plants by mail.

• Read customer reviews to judge quality before purchasing.

• Expect to pay more for shipping costs. Make sure the total price includes shipping fees.

• Choose expedited shipping if possible, especially during hot summer months.

Popular places to order lemongrass plants online include:

• Mountain Valley Growers
• Territorial Seed Company
• Evergreen Seeds
• Seed Savers Exchange
• Etsy (from individual sellers)
• Amazon
• High Mowing Organic Seeds
• Burpee

Buying Lemongrass Seeds to Grow Your Own

In addition to buying established lemongrass plants, you can also purchase lemongrass seeds to grow your own transplants from scratch.

Lemongrass seeds are often cheaper than buying starter plants. Packets of seeds typically range from $2-5 depending on quantity.

Starting lemongrass from seed also gives you more choices among lemongrass varieties. Look for seed packets that specify the lemongrass cultivar. Some examples are Citronella, Soledad, and Prawee types.

When growing lemongrass from seeds:

• Start seeds indoors 8-12 weeks before your last expected frost.

• Soak seeds for 24 hours in warm water before planting to increase germination rate.

• Sow seeds 1⁄4 inch deep in seed starting mix. Keep soil consistently moist.

• Move seedlings outdoors once they have 4-6 true leaves.

• Transplant into the garden once outdoor soil temperatures reach 65°F.

Places to find lemongrass seeds include:

• Burpee
• Park Seed
• Johnny’s Selected Seeds
• Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
• Etsy sellers
• Local garden stores or nurseries

What Type of Lemongrass to Buy

There are two main types of lemongrass used for cultivation:

East Indian lemongrass – This variety (Cymbopogon flexuosus) is mainly used for culinary purposes. It has a bold, lemon flavor perfect for teas, curries, soups, and more. East Indian lemongrass is subtropical and not quite as hardy.

West Indian lemongrass – Also called Guatemalan lemongrass, this variety (Cymbopogon citratus) has a more delicate flavor used incuisine and is easier to grow. It has higher levels of beneficial geranial.

For the home gardener, West Indian lemongrass is typically the best choice. It grows well in hot climates and also works as a houseplant.

Look for West Indian lemongrass varieties like Sweet Melissa or regular Cymbopogon citratus. avoid ornamental grass varieties that lack strong lemon flavor.

When to Buy Lemongrass

Time your lemongrass purchase based on your planting zone and climate:

Zone 9-11 – Plants can be set out year round. Buy at any time.

Zone 8 – Set plants out March-September. Purchase plants throughout this period.

Zone 7 or cooler – Buy plants in spring and grow as annuals or container plants. Bring indoors before first frost.

If growing from seed, start seeds indoors up to three months before your planted outdoor date.

Many gardeners recommend buying younger lemongrass plants in the spring, so they have time to establish before winter. Larger plants are better for immediate use in cooking.

Where to Plant Lemongrass After Buying

Lemongrass thrives in hot, humid climates with full sun exposure. It prefers sandy, well-draining soil.

When adding lemongrass to your garden:

• Select a site that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.

• Prepare soil by mixing in compost or rotted manure. Lemongrass needs rich soil.

• Space plants 2-3 feet apart in rows or clusters.

• Dig a hole equal to the plant’s root ball and backfill with surrounding soil.

• Water newly planted lemongrass thoroughly and continue frequent watering while it establishes.

• Mulch around plants to retain moisture.

• In cooler zones, dig up plants in fall and re-plant the following spring.

• Bring potted plants indoors before temps dip below 50°F.

With the proper growing conditions, lemongrass will quickly multiply into a large clump. Harvest stalks regularly to encourage growth.

Enjoy Fresh and Flavorful Lemongrass

Adding lemongrass to your herb garden is an easy way to enjoy fresh lemongrass for Asian recipes, herbal teas, and other uses. Just look for healthy, pest-free plants from reputable local nurseries, garden centers, or online stores. With minimal care, lemongrass is sure to thrive and can be harvested continually.

Lemongrass