The slim, grassy foliage of lemongrass provides a contrast with broad-leaved garden herbs. Use the white, thick base of the leaves in cooking. The dried foliage is tasty in tea. Zones 9 – 10 or greenhouse. Can be placed in outside in pots or planted out during the summer in full sun to particle shade. Tender perennial, height 6 feet, forms dense clumps of typical grass leaves. Seldom flowers. Propagate by division of older plants. Trim the leaves to several inches before dividing. Usually free from pest and diseases.

Snip fresh foliage as needed anytime in summer. Use the white stem base in cooling. Lemongrass oil blends well with oils of basil, geranium, jasmine and lavender. Use in oil burners and mixed into base oil for massage. Sprigs of fresh lemongrass are often used in receipts with coconut milk.’ The essential oil distilled from lemongrass and the dried foliage are used to soothe fevers and in treatments for respiratory problems, sore throats and oily skin. Individual leaves of lemongrass plant regularly die off; this doesn’t indicate a problem with the plant and there is no need to remove the dead foliage. Like full sun, height 18".

Lemongrass has long been used for tea, medicine and in Oriental cooking. Dried, it is excellent in potpourris because of its intense lemon aroma. Its recent gain in popularity may make it worthwhile to grown. The long blades of lemongrass are used fresh to flavor dishes and make teas. They are stringy and chefs usually remove them after cooling. The lighter-colored tender base of the stalk is cut off and used in stir-fry and other cooked dishes, much as you would use green onions and leeks. Plant in full sun in rich, moist soil. This plant will die when frozen, so in cold climates, dig it up in early fall, pot it up and bring inside to overwinter. It should survive this procedure but will not grown until spring. Fertilize every 2 weeks during growing season. Growth will be limited during low light periods without supplement lighting. Cuttings can begin when the blades are 12 inches tall. When the plant is cut depends on how the herb is to be used. If the blades will be used dry or to flavor food, the cut should be made 1 inch above the crown. This method ensures that the plant will regrow. Use a very sharp, heavy scissors to cut this herb because the stalks are quite tough. If the tender base of the stalks is what’s needed, Cut the stems as close as possible to the roots. In many ethnic markets, lemongrass is sold with a small amount of the roots attached. Cutting the stalks this way usually means the stems will not regrow. Height up to 36".

Other names: Oilgrass, fevergrass, West Indian lemon.