Botanical Name: Cymbopogon citratus
Some other names: Citronella grass, sweet rush, fever grass, camel’s hay
How to Grow It
Lemongrass is a perennial clumping grass that reaches around 1 metre tall, forming dense, fountain-like clumps of bright green, blade-like leaves. Its tender white stalks are the prized part for cooking, but the green tops are also incredibly useful.
It thrives in tropical and subtropical climates, where heat and humidity make it explode with growth. In temperate zones, it can still be grown – just give it frost protection or grow it in pots that can be moved to shelter in winter.
Lemongrass loves full sun and drinks up water in hot months, but it’s surprisingly forgiving once established. It will survive poorer soils, but if you give it fertile, moist, well-drained soil and regular mulch, it will grow like mad. A boost of high-nitrogen fertiliser (like composted manure or liquid feed) will give you lush, leafy growth.
Propagation is ridiculously easy – just divide an existing clump. Dig up a chunk, split it into smaller “fans,” and replant each piece (any bit with a few roots will take off). Even stalks from the grocery store will sometimes strike if they still have roots attached!
Lemongrass also does brilliantly in pots – perfect for balconies or for cooler regions where you can wheel it under cover in winter.
Tip: Once planted in the ground in warm climates, lemongrass can form thick, persistent clumps – great for mulch and cooking, but it may need an occasional hard trim or division to stop it taking over.
Herbal & Nutrient Value
Lemongrass isn’t just about flavour – it’s nutrient-rich too. Its stalks contain Vitamins A, B, and C, plus iron, calcium, potassium, and chromium (helpful for blood sugar regulation).
Herbalists have long used lemongrass tea as a digestive soother and fever reducer – it’s why one of its common names is fever grass. Modern research suggests it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and there’s even ongoing study into its potential anti-cancer compounds.
It’s also mildly antimicrobial – meaning it may help the body ward off infections – and some people swear by a hot cup of lemongrass tea at the first sign of a cold or flu.
Traditional & Home Remedies
Lemongrass Tea – Boil bruised stalks for 10 min; used for indigestion, anxiety, or mild fever.
Steam Inhalation – Add lemongrass stalks to boiling water; inhale steam for sinus relief.
Topical Oil Infusion – Infuse in coconut oil; applied for fungal skin infections.
Bath Infusion – Add bunches of lemongrass to bathwater for stress relief.
Poultice – Crushed stalks applied to joints for muscle and joint pain.
Using It in the Kitchen
If you cook Asian food, you’ll know lemongrass is essential – and if you don’t, growing it might inspire you to start! The flavour is citrusy, fresh, and slightly floral, with a touch of ginger-like warmth.
To prepare it: Cut the stalk at the base, trim where the white ends turn green, and peel off the tough outer layers to reveal the fragrant white core. That’s the part you mince for curries, stir-fries, and marinades.
The green leaves are too tough to eat but are perfect for infusing – tie them in a knot and simmer in soups or stews, or steep them for tea.
Storage tip: Stalks keep well in the fridge for a week or two, or you can freeze them whole. The leaves dry beautifully for tea – just hang them in bunches and store in jars.
Simple recipe ideas:
– Lemongrass Tea – steep a handful of leaves in hot water with honey and ginger for a soothing herbal drink.
– Lemongrass Curry Paste – blitz white stalks with garlic, chilli, ginger, and lime for a punchy base for Thai curries.
– Lemongrass Chicken Marinade – combine chopped stalks, soy sauce, and lime juice for grilling or stir-frying.
– Infused Soup Broth – knot the leaves and simmer them in chicken or vegetable soup for a bright citrus lift.
– Lemongrass Rice – cook rice with a whole stalk laid on top – remove before serving for fragrant, subtly flavoured grains.
Other Uses
Lemongrass isn’t just for the kitchen. The leaves make an excellent mulch – cut them back a few times a year and you’ll have armfuls of free organic matter for your garden beds.
It’s also a natural insect deterrent – the plant is a source of citronella oil, so planting clumps near patios or paths can help keep mosquitoes at bay.
Because it forms dense clumps, lemongrass is also fantastic for erosion control, edging garden beds, or even acting as a low “living fence.”
Why it’s a survival plant:
Resilient and low-maintenance
Provides food, tea, and mulch
Perennial – plant it once and harvest for years
