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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: Gerard on July 17, 2014, 02:59:24 PM

Title: Growing lemon grass?
Post by: Gerard on July 17, 2014, 02:59:24 PM

Does anyone here (ideally in North America) grow their own lemon grass? I hear it grows like a weed once it's started.

If so, how did you start? It's supposed to be hard to grow from seed. Did you get a cutting? Sprout a piece from the supermarket?

Title: Re: Growing lemon grass?
Post by: OddOne on July 17, 2014, 03:06:52 PM

Hi Gerard,

I grew it a few years ago. If you can find a stalk with a bit of the root/bulb still attached (not much is needed), stick it in some water and wait for roots. Planted the starts it in pots. It felt very decedent to have fresh lemon grass in the backyard.

Enjoy!
OO

Title: Re: Growing lemon grass?
Post by: Gerard on July 17, 2014, 03:21:38 PM

Thanks, OO! Now I just have to find a piece with some root on it...

Title: Re: Growing lemon grass?
Post by: MgoSam on July 17, 2014, 03:33:50 PM

That is such a good idea. Any notion if it will work well in containers (condo living)?

Title: Re: Growing lemon grass?
Post by: BarkingSquirrel on July 17, 2014, 04:05:45 PM

This sounds like good advice.  The stuff they sell in nurseries as lemon grass seems like a different plant -- more green-grassy.  We grew it one year, but it didn't make it through the winter, and it really wasn't the same herb.

Title: Re: Growing lemon grass?
Post by: swick on July 17, 2014, 04:20:45 PM

I have quite successfully grown lemongrass sprouted from some stalks with the bulb on purchased at the store. It does grow like a weed, it is perfect for container gardening.

I'm in BC :)

I should mention we take them inside or cut them back over winter...Ours produced lots of grassy leaves too .... but that is what lemon grass is, I just trim them back and dry them and use them in tea.

Title: Re: Growing lemon grass?
Post by: Rezdent on July 17, 2014, 04:45:59 PM

I grow it, get mine from a nursery start.
It grows well here, although I have lost plants when temps get down in lower teens (~15F) so I bring them inside or cover them well for short spells.
Mine does have more green grassy leaves but that's probably related to how I grow it.