{"id":304,"date":"2022-09-08T12:51:02","date_gmt":"2022-09-08T12:51:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/?post_type=product&p=304"},"modified":"2025-08-04T05:44:53","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T05:44:53","slug":"lemongrass","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/product\/lemongrass\/","title":{"rendered":"Lemongrass"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Botanical Name:<\/strong>\u00a0Cymbopogon citratus<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Some other names:<\/strong>\u00a0Citronella grass, sweet rush, fever grass, camel\u2019s hay<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How to Grow It<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Lemongrass is a perennial clumping grass<\/b> that reaches around 1 metre tall<\/b>, forming dense, fountain-like clumps of bright green, blade-like leaves. Its tender white stalks<\/b> are the prized part for cooking, but the green tops are also incredibly useful.<\/p>\r\n

It thrives in tropical and subtropical climates<\/b>, where heat and humidity make it explode with growth. In temperate zones<\/b>, it can still be grown \u2013 just give it frost protection<\/b> or grow it in pots that can be moved to shelter in winter<\/b>.<\/p>\r\n

Lemongrass loves full sun<\/b> and drinks up water in hot months, but it\u2019s surprisingly forgiving once established. It will survive poorer soils<\/b>, but if you give it fertile, moist, well-drained soil and regular mulch<\/b>, it will grow like mad. A boost of high-nitrogen fertiliser<\/b> (like composted manure or liquid feed) will give you lush, leafy growth.<\/p>\r\n

Propagation is ridiculously easy<\/b> \u2013 just divide an existing clump. Dig up a chunk, split it into smaller \u201cfans,\u201d 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!<\/p>\r\n

Lemongrass also does brilliantly in pots<\/b> \u2013 perfect for balconies or for cooler regions where you can wheel it under cover in winter.<\/p>\r\n

Tip:<\/b> Once planted in the ground in warm climates, lemongrass can form thick, persistent clumps<\/b> \u2013 great for mulch and cooking, but it may need an occasional hard trim or division to stop it taking over.

<\/p>\r\n

Herbal & Nutrient Value<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Lemongrass isn\u2019t just about flavour \u2013 it\u2019s nutrient-rich<\/b> too. Its stalks contain Vitamins A, B, and C<\/b>, plus iron, calcium, potassium, and chromium<\/b> (helpful for blood sugar regulation).<\/p>\r\n

Herbalists have long used lemongrass tea as a digestive soother<\/b> and fever reducer<\/b> \u2013 it\u2019s why one of its common names is fever grass<\/i>. Modern research suggests it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties<\/b>, and there\u2019s even ongoing study into its potential anti-cancer compounds<\/b>.<\/p>\r\n

It\u2019s also mildly antimicrobial<\/b> \u2013 meaning it may help the body ward off infections \u2013 and some people swear by a hot cup of lemongrass tea at the first sign of a cold or flu.<\/p>\r\n

Traditional & Home Remedies<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Lemongrass Tea<\/strong> \u2013 Boil bruised stalks for 10\u202fmin; used for indigestion, anxiety, or mild fever<\/strong>.
Steam Inhalation<\/strong> \u2013 Add lemongrass stalks to boiling water; inhale steam for sinus relief<\/strong>.
Topical Oil Infusion<\/strong> \u2013 Infuse in coconut oil; applied for fungal skin infections<\/strong>.
Bath Infusion<\/strong> \u2013 Add bunches of lemongrass to bathwater for stress relief<\/strong>.
Poultice<\/strong> \u2013 Crushed stalks applied to joints for muscle and joint pain<\/strong>.

<\/p>\r\n

Using It in the Kitchen<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

If you cook Asian food, you\u2019ll know lemongrass is essential \u2013 and if you don\u2019t, growing it might inspire you to start! The flavour is citrusy, fresh, and slightly floral<\/b>, with a touch of ginger-like warmth.<\/p>\r\n

To prepare it:<\/b> 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<\/b>. That\u2019s the part you mince for curries, stir-fries, and marinades.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"\"\r\n
Lemongrass stalks prepared for use in cooking<\/em><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The green leaves<\/b> are too tough to eat but are perfect for infusing<\/b> \u2013 tie them in a knot and simmer in soups or stews, or steep them for tea.<\/p>\r\n

Storage tip:<\/b> Stalks keep well in the fridge for a week or two, or you can freeze them whole<\/b>. The leaves dry beautifully for tea \u2013 just hang them in bunches and store in jars.<\/p>\r\n

Simple recipe ideas:<\/strong>
– Lemongrass Tea<\/b> \u2013 steep a handful of leaves in hot water with honey and ginger for a soothing herbal drink.
– Lemongrass Curry Paste<\/b> \u2013 blitz white stalks with garlic, chilli, ginger, and lime for a punchy base for Thai curries.
– Lemongrass Chicken Marinade<\/b> \u2013 combine chopped stalks, soy sauce, and lime juice for grilling or stir-frying.
– Infused Soup Broth<\/b> \u2013 knot the leaves and simmer them in chicken or vegetable soup for a bright citrus lift.
– Lemongrass Rice<\/b> \u2013 cook rice with a whole stalk laid on top \u2013 remove before serving for fragrant, subtly flavoured grains.

<\/p>\r\n

Other Uses<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Lemongrass isn\u2019t just for the kitchen. The leaves make an excellent mulch<\/b> \u2013 cut them back a few times a year and you\u2019ll have armfuls of free organic matter for your garden beds.<\/p>\r\n

It\u2019s also a natural insect deterrent<\/b> \u2013 the plant is a source of citronella oil, so planting clumps near patios or paths can help keep mosquitoes at bay.<\/p>\r\n

Because it forms dense clumps<\/b>, lemongrass is also fantastic for erosion control<\/b>, edging garden beds, or even acting as a low \u201cliving fence.\u201d<\/b><\/b><\/p>\r\n

Why it’s a survival plant<\/b>:<\/h3>\r\n

Resilient and low-maintenance
Provides food, tea, and mulch
Perennial \u2013 plant it once and harvest for years<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Lemongrass is a tough, fragrant perennial clumping grass loved for its citrusy stalks and leaves. A staple in Asian cooking, a soothing tea herb, and even a natural insect deterrent, a must for any survival garden.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":136,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"off","neve_meta_content_width":100,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":""},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[41,42,45,46,47],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-304","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-mulch-plants","7":"product_cat-pot-and-container-plants","8":"product_cat-soups-and-curries","9":"product_cat-stir-fry-plants","10":"product_cat-tea-plants","12":"first","13":"instock","14":"shipping-taxable","15":"product-type-simple"},"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/304","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=304"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/136"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=304"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_brand?post=304"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_cat?post=304"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_tag?post=304"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}