Who doesn’t love the fresh, zesty scent of homegrown lemongrass? It’s a staple in so many amazing dishes, and the good news is that you don’t have to keep buying it at the store. Growing your own supply is actually pretty easy once you know the ropes! If you want a constant stash of this fragrant herb, here’s the lowdown on the best ways to get your lemongrass garden started.
Different Ways to Grow Lemongrass
If you’re looking to keep your kitchen stocked with natural, fresh lemongrass, you’ve got a few different options for starting your own plants. The most common propagation methods are:
- Rooting fresh stalks in a glass of water
- Dividing existing lemongrass clumps
- Growing it from seed
Rooting in Water
One of the easiest ways to get started is by rooting fresh stalks. Just take a few healthy stalks and pop them into a glass of water. Place the glass on a warm, sunny windowsill and let nature do its thing. After a few weeks, you’ll start to see tiny roots sprouting. Once those roots look strong and long enough, you can plant the stalk in a pot with some good soil. Before you know it, the stalk will start sending out new shoots and grow into a full-sized plant!
Dividing Lemongrass Clumps
If you already have a plant that’s getting a bit crowded, dividing it is the way to go—this usually works best when you’re already repotting your plant. Carefully pull the roots apart a bit so you can see where to make your cut. Then, simply slice the plant into as many individual sections as you’d like. It’s a great way to turn one plant into a whole family of lemongrass!
Growing Lemongrass from Seed
I’ll be honest with you: growing lemongrass from seed can be a bit of a gamble. The germination rate is usually only about 40% to 60%, so it takes a little extra effort and a bit of luck. But if you’re up for the challenge, you can pick up some seeds at your local garden center.
Place the seeds in a tray filled with seed-starting mix, press them down gently, and cover them with just a light dusting of soil. Lemongrass seeds need warmth to wake up—ideally between 70°F and 85°F (20-30°C). Keep the tray in a cozy, warm spot, and with any luck, you’ll see seedlings popping up in a few weeks. Once they’re big enough to handle, you can move them into their own pots.
