Exotic Asian lemongrass is becoming a real favorite in home gardens lately, and it’s easy to see why! If you want a steady supply of those fresh, citrusy stalks for your cooking, the best way is to propagate it yourself. There are a few different ways to get the job done depending on what you’re starting with.
Different Ways to Propagate Lemongrass
When it comes to growing your own lemongrass stash, you’ve got three main options:
- Rooting fresh stalks in water,
- Growing it from seed, or
- Dividing an existing plant.
Propagating Lemongrass in Water
One of the easiest “hacks” to get your own lemongrass started is using stalks bought right from the grocery store or Asian market. The trick is to pick out the freshest, juiciest-looking stalks you can find. Just pop them into a glass of water and make sure to change the water every few days to keep it fresh.
Place the glass in a warm, sunny spot. Within a few weeks, you’ll start to see little roots sprouting from the bottom. Once those roots look nice and established, you can pot your new lemongrass plants in some good quality soil.
Propagating Lemongrass from Seed
Growing lemongrass from seed is a bit more of a project. To be honest, it’s a little trickier than the other methods because the success rate isn’t quite as high—usually, only about 40% to 60% of the seeds will actually sprout.
If you’re up for the challenge, grab a packet of seeds from your local garden center. Fill a seed tray with a good seed-starting mix, press the seeds down gently, and cover them with just a very thin layer of soil. Lemongrass seeds need heat to wake up, so keep the tray in a bright, warm spot. They’re happiest when temperatures are between 70°F and 85°F (20-30°C).
Propagating Lemongrass by Division
If you already have a healthy plant, division is a super simple way to get more. The best time to do this is when you’re already repotting your lemongrass. If your plant has grown nice and bushy, you can split it into several smaller plants.
Gently pull the root ball apart so you can see where the natural separations are. Use a sharp knife or garden shears to cut through the roots and stalks. Once you’ve separated your sections, just plant each new lemongrass division into its own pot, and you’re good to go!
