Lemongrass is a culinary herb used in numerous dishes that releases an aromatic fragrance when you crush it. This adored lemon-scented herb is known for its medicinal qualities and pleasant taste. Enjoy lemongrass by adding it to your soup recipes, stir-fry, marinades, and sauces, or steep the leaves to make herbal tea or homemade broth.

Lemongrass makes the perfect addition to your garden, and growing it ensures you have a fresh supply of lemony goodness to use in the kitchen! This herb grows particularly well in containers, so follow along and learn how to start planting yours today.

In this guide, discover everything you need to know to successfully grow lemongrass in containers.

Materials Needed

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Before you get started, here is what you'll need to grow lemongrass in pots.

  • Lemongrass stalks or seeds
  • Pot or container
  • Potting soil
  • Watering can
  • Gardening gloves
  • Pruning shears or scissors
  • Fertilizer

How to Grow Lemongrass in Pots

Lemongrass (Cymbopogoncitratus) has 55 different species, but only some are used for cooking. Two edible varieties where you can eat the stem include East-Indian lemongrass (C. flexuosus) and West-Indian lemongrass (C. citratus). These are the varieties you can keep on the windowsill in your kitchen. But first you have to grow lemongrass in pots by following the steps below.

Step 1 - Pick a Pot 

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Lemongrass grows in clumps or groupings that can reach up to 6 feet tall in diameter and 3 feet long. Because of this, you'll want to use a fairly large pot -- 8 inches is ideal if you're transplanting an already mature plant. 

Use a clay or terra cot pot, which allows the plant's roots to breathe, and prevents disease and root rot. Always select a pot with proper drainage holes to prevent water from building up at the bottom, leaving your plant standing in water.

Step 2 - Prepare the Soil

Fertilized soil close-up

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Next, prepare the soil and container for planting. When growing lemongrass in containers, choose a high-quality organic potting mix. The soil should be well-draining and contain a mix of perlite, peat moss, and vermiculite. Fill your container with potting mix and water until the soil feels moist.

For more nutrient-rich soil, apply compost or sprinkle a slow-release organic fertilizer into the potting soil before planting. 

Step 3 - Plant the Stalks or Seeds

planting seeds in containers

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The most common way to grow lemongrass is from stalks. You can purchase stalks at a local nursery, farmers market, or specialty grocery stores. Look for smaller stalks up to a foot tall. Plant multiple stalks in your container a few inches deep, with the top part of the stalks sticking out of the soil. Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom of the container.

You can also grow lemongrass from seeds. However, it's not usually grown this way. If you start from seed, sow your lemongrass indoors in early spring. Plant in a seed tray, wait for germination, and then place under a grow light. Seedlings need 14 to 16 hours of light per day. After a few weeks, when the seedlings are large enough, transplant them to an 8-inch pot and introduce them to the outdoors.

When starting your seedlings or stalks indoors, you'll need to do a process called hardening off before transferring your plants outdoors. Move the plants outside for a few hours each day, slowly increasing the time. It allows your lemongrass to become accustomed to its new outdoor environment.

Step 4 - Choose an Ideal Location

Woman holding a pot with the lemongrass

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Lemongrass loves plenty of sunlight and high temperatures. Place your container in an area that receives at least eight hours of sunlight per day. This herb thrives in a warm, humid environment with temperatures ranging from 77 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in a dry location, mist the plant's leaves regularly to increase humidity.

Lemongrass can handle lower temperatures down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. However, anything lower than this will cause significant damage to the plant. Move indoors once the cooler weather hits, as this herb does not tolerate frost. Growing yours in a container means you can quickly move the plant and overwinter it before the temperature drops!

Step 5- Lemongrass Care 

Lemongrass in container

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Growing lemongrass in pots is a little different than growing it in the ground. Containers dry out much faster, so it's important to water regularly when the first few inches of soil feel dry to the touch. If you are unsure, measure the soil moisture using a moisture meter.

To keep your lemongrass thriving, fertilize the plant throughout the growing process. Apply an organic fertilizer every few weeks during the spring and summer months. Popular choices include worm castings, seaweed, compost, or a fish emulsion. 

Harvesting Lemongrass

Hand planting and cutting lemongrass aromatic herb

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Harvest lemongrass when the plant is fully established, roughly 75 to 100 days after planting, and pay attention to the stems of the plant. You'll know it's ready for harvest when the stems are about 1/2 inch thick.

Using sharp scissors or pruning shears, cut the stems of your lemongrass close to the soil level. Harvest regularly by cutting stems from the outer edges of the plant, so it continues to grow. If the plant is nearing the end of its growing season, harvest the entire plant by cutting back all the stems or moving the container indoors.

Grow Herbs at Home

Expand your herb garden and try cooking with fresh lemongrass in the kitchen! With these tips and simple care, try planting lemongrass in your container garden this spring and watch it flourish all season long.

Have you tried growing lemongrass in pots before? Leave a comment down below and share your experience.