by Francis Jock

Created on: October 09, 2010

Lemongrass is a tall perennial grass that has a citrus flavor and can be dried and powdered, or used fresh. Since it is a hardy plant of tropical origins, it will grow well in garden containers. It is widely used as a herb in Asian cuisine, and is commonly used in teas, soups, and curries. It is also suitable for garnishing in poultry, fish, and seafood recipes.

Gardening Containers

The right size garden container for growing lemongrass depends upon the height of the plant, which is mostly determined by location and growing conditions. Lemongrass will grow to approximately 4 to 6 feet high and a clump can spread 6 to 8 feet wide, so give the plant a sizable gardening container and plenty of room to grow out and upwards. The Garden Patch Grow Box  is an example of a terracotta garden pot that will work well in Northern climates.

Soil and Fertilizer

Any garden soil that is high in nitrogen content will work well for growing Lemongrass in a garden container. Lemongrass prefers a sandy-type soil, but grows just as well in any soil that is kept evenly moist, so a good layer of mulch is necessary. Gardening soil must not only gives the plant the physical support it needs, but it must also provide the necessary nutrients in order for the plant to flourish.

An ideal mixture consists of one-third compost, one-third topsoil, and one-sixth vermiculite. This holds just the right amount of moisture in the soil and provides the lemongrass with a plentiful supply of decomposing organic material. Leave room at the top of your garden container for the plant to develop its shallow root system.

You can make your own rich soil by composting kitchen scraps in a suitable container. If you prefer to purchase bags of garden soil, be sure to buy garden soil that is suitable for growing Lemongrass. There are several different types of lemongrass, but a good quality non-acidic soil should work.

Starting your container garden

Start lemongrass growing in their containers in the fall, and prepare them for the coming cooler months by letting them settle in. Lemongrass seed can be sown directly on the surface of a 6-inch garden pot. As the seeds sprouts and grows larger, move the clumps into successively larger pots for replanting in the spring.
 
Lemongrass is easy to grow from seed, but if you find some at the grocery or perhaps in the Asian market, you have struck gold. Just choose a stalk with a few roots still attached and put it in water, leaving it to grow roots for transplanting

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