Lemongrass Live Plant Set – Cymbopogon citratus – 5 Starters, 4-8″ Tall

Overview

Introduce the vibrant flavors of Asia to your home with this set of five healthy lemongrass live plant starters. Each young Cymbopogon citratus plant measures approximately 4-8 inches tall, providing an excellent foundation for anyone interested in growing lemongrass at home. This tropical herb, also known as Cymbopogon citratus, is renowned for its distinctive citrusy aroma and flavor, making it a prized ingredient in various cuisines, especially Asian dishes and teas. Its tall, fountain-like grassy foliage creates lush clumps that can reach 3–5 feet, offering both functional culinary use and an attractive ornamental addition to your outdoor or indoor spaces. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just beginning your herb cultivation journey, these starter plants offer the perfect opportunity to enjoy fresh lemongrass live plant.

The lemongrass live plant is a versatile and relatively easy-to-grow herb, provided it receives adequate sunlight and moisture. Its robust growth habit makes it suitable for various settings, from dedicated herb gardens to decorative patio containers. These young plants offer the perfect opportunity to establish a continuous supply of fresh lemongrass for culinary adventures or simply to enjoy its pleasant fragrance. With proper lemongrass plant care, you can expect these starters to develop into productive plants, enhancing your garden with their unique texture and providing a bountiful harvest. Enjoy the satisfaction of harvesting your own fresh herbs directly from your garden.

Key Benefits

Investing in a lemongrass live plant offers a multitude of benefits, from enhancing your culinary creations to beautifying your living space. This versatile tropical herb plant is a must-have for any enthusiast looking to add flavor and aesthetics to their environment:

• Culinary Versatility: The primary benefit of lemongrass live plant is its use in cooking. Its aromatic stalks impart a distinct citrusy, slightly ginger-like flavor to curries, soups, stir-fries, and teas, making it indispensable in many Asian cuisines. Having it fresh ensures maximum flavor for your dishes.
• Aromatic and Decorative: Beyond the kitchen, Cymbopogon citratus adds a beautiful, architectural element to gardens and patios. Its tall, graceful foliage creates a tropical aesthetic, and its subtle citrus scent is a pleasant addition to any outdoor area, contributing to a serene atmosphere.
• Easy to Grow: These starter plants are straightforward to cultivate, especially in warmer climates or when brought indoors during colder months. They thrive with minimal fuss, making growing lemongrass accessible to gardeners of all skill levels, from beginners to experts.
• Pest Repellent Qualities: Some gardeners find that the strong aroma of lemongrass can help deter certain garden pests, contributing to a healthier and more natural garden environment without the need for harsh chemicals.
• Container Friendly: Despite its potential size, this tropical herb plant adapts well to container growing, allowing those with limited space or in colder regions to enjoy fresh lemongrass by bringing pots indoors for winter. This flexibility makes it suitable for many living situations.
• Freshness Guaranteed: Having your own lemongrass live plant ensures a fresh supply of lemongrass whenever you need it, eliminating the need for store-bought stalks that may have limited shelf life and often lack the full potency of home-grown.
• Health and Wellness: Lemongrass is often used in traditional medicine for its purported health benefits, including digestive aid and anti-inflammatory properties, adding another dimension to its value.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Proper lemongrass plant care is crucial for ensuring your lemongrass live plant thrives and produces abundant stalks. These plants are relatively low-maintenance but do have specific requirements to reach their full potential. They perform best in full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. If grown indoors, place them near a south-facing window or under grow lights to mimic these conditions. Adequate light is essential for robust growth and flavor development in your Cymbopogon citratus. Insufficient light can lead to leggy growth and less intense flavor.

When it comes to watering, the lemongrass live plant prefers consistently moist soil. However, it’s important to allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. Good drainage is key; ensure your pots have drainage holes or that your garden soil is well-draining. A fertile, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0 is ideal. During active growth, feed your plants regularly with a water-soluble plant food to support their rapid development. In USDA Zones 10-11, lemongrass can survive outdoors as a perennial, returning year after year. In cooler zones (9 and below), it’s sensitive to frost and should be overwintered indoors in a bright location or grown as an annual. For successful growing lemongrass, trim stalks to harvest or to manage the plant’s size. Foliage may naturally yellow in cooler months, which is a normal part of its growth cycle as it prepares for dormancy or colder temperatures. Protecting them from frost is a critical aspect of lemongrass plant care in colder climates.

Size & Details

This offering includes a set of five healthy lemongrass live plant starters, each approximately 4–8 inches tall at the time of shipment. These young plants are shipped either bare root or as rooted cuttings with some soil/medium to maintain moisture during transit, ensuring they arrive ready for planting. While photos may depict mature plants, these are starter plants, designed to grow into full-sized, productive clumps with proper care. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) can ultimately reach a height of 3–5 feet and a spread of 2-3 feet, forming lush, fountain-like clumps. For in-ground planting, space plants approximately 24 inches apart to allow for adequate growth. If growing this tropical herb plant in containers, a large pot (at least 12 inches in diameter) is recommended to allow for adequate root development and growth. Stalks can typically be harvested once they reach about 12 inches tall and are at least 0.5 inches thick, providing a continuous supply throughout the growing season. This vigorous plant offers a rewarding gardening experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big will my lemongrass live plant get? A: While these are starter plants measuring 4-8 inches tall, with proper care, a mature Cymbopogon citratus plant can reach 3-5 feet in height and spread 2-3 feet wide, forming a lush, fountain-like clump.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Lemongrass can be grown both indoors and outdoors. It thrives outdoors in full sun in tropical and subtropical climates (USDA Zones 10-11). In cooler zones, it can be grown outdoors during warm months and brought indoors before frost or treated as an annual. It makes an excellent tropical herb plant for containers.
• Q: How much sunlight does a lemongrass live plant need? A: For best growth and flavor, lemongrass requires full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. If growing indoors, place it in the brightest spot available, such as a south-facing window.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, growing lemongrass is generally considered easy, especially in warm climates. Its main requirements are full sun, consistently moist well-draining soil, and protection from frost, making lemongrass plant care straightforward.
• Q: How will my tropical herb plant arrive? A: Your set of five lemongrass live plant starters will be carefully packaged and shipped either bare root or as rooted cuttings with some medium to keep them moist, without a pot, to ensure safe transit and readiness for planting.
• Q: Can I use this lemongrass live plant in cooking? A: Absolutely! Lemongrass is primarily grown for its culinary uses. The lower parts of the stalks are highly aromatic and perfect for flavoring Asian dishes, teas, curries, and various other recipes.
• Q: What is the best time to plant lemongrass? A: The best time to plant your lemongrass live plant is in the spring after all danger of frost has passed, once nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50°F (10°C) to ensure optimal establishment.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: Lemongrass is frost-sensitive. It will survive outdoors as a perennial only in USDA Zones 10-11. In cooler zones, you’ll need to bring it indoors for winter or grow it as an annual to protect it from freezing temperatures.
• Q: What kind of soil does a Cymbopogon citratus prefer? A: It prefers fertile, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0. Good drainage is crucial to prevent root issues, which is a key part of successful lemongrass plant care.
• Q: Is lemongrass live plant pet-safe? A: Lemongrass itself is generally considered non-toxic to pets. However, if you use chemical fertilizers or pesticides, it’s always wise to keep plants out of reach of pets and children.