Use these tips to keep lemongrass going through the winter.
Growing lemongrass in your garden is an easy way to enjoy the fragrance and flavor of citrus.
This popular herb also can add refreshinglemon flavor to teaor to a variety of recipes.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Is lemongrass a perennial in your area?
Heres how to care for and overwinter lemongrass.
Will Lemongrass Grow Back After Winter?
Is lemongrass aperennial or annual?
This is easy to determine with a little research about its temperature tolerance.
Perennial Lemongrass
Technically, lemongrass is a frost-tender perennial grass.
The dense foliage can grow up to 3 feet tall and wide in one growing season.
Root a freshlemongrass stalk in waterbefore planting it in a pot.
Find them at grocery stores specializing in Southeast Asian cuisine.
But if you live in colder regions, youll need toprepare to take lemongrass indoorsbefore cold weather arrives.
Thenplant them in a containerthats large enough to allow some growth.
Do this by partially filling the pot with the potting soil.
Before bringing lemongrass indoors,inspect the leavesfor insects and rinse the foliage to remove any lingering pests.
you could alsouse a grow lightif there’s not enough natural light.
Water it when the top inch of soil feels dry.
When spring arrives, wait to relocate your lemongrass outdoors until temperatures stay above 40F.
This herb will quickly begin to grow more leaves again and develop its full flavor during summer’s heat.
Of the 55 Cymbopogon species, only East-Indian and West-Indian lemongrass are commonly used in cooking.
Drost, Dan.How to Grow Lemongrass in Your Garden.Utah State University Yard and Garden Extension.
