Overview

Bring the vibrant aroma and flavor of the tropics to your garden with these lemon grass live plants. This offering includes 10 robust, well-rooted lemongrass stalks, scientifically known as Cymbopogon citratus, ready for direct outdoor planting. Known for its distinct lemony scent and taste, lemongrass is a staple in many cuisines and is also valued for its ornamental appeal and ability to deter certain pests. Our carefully prepared stalks ensure a strong start for your plants, allowing you to easily grow lemon grass for fresh use in teas, soups, curries, and more.

Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out, these lemon grass live plants provide an excellent opportunity to cultivate a versatile and fragrant herb. They are shipped without pots and are trimmed back to encourage healthy growth upon arrival, making them ideal for establishing a thriving patch in your garden or large containers.

Key Benefits

Adding lemon grass live plants to your garden offers a multitude of advantages, enhancing both your culinary endeavors and your outdoor living space:

• Culinary Versatility: Fresh lemongrass is an indispensable ingredient in Southeast Asian and Caribbean cooking. Its bright, citrusy flavor elevates dishes like curries, soups, stir-fries, and marinades, providing an exotic zest that dried versions simply can’t match.

• Aromatic Appeal: The refreshing, lemony fragrance of these lemon grass live plants acts as a natural air freshener for your garden. Plant them near outdoor seating areas to enjoy their pleasant scent and create a more inviting atmosphere.

• Natural Pest Deterrent: Lemongrass contains citronella, a natural compound known to repel mosquitoes and other flying insects. Planting it around your patio or outdoor spaces can help keep unwanted bugs at bay, making your outdoor experience more enjoyable.

• Easy to Grow: These hardy plants are relatively low-maintenance once established. They thrive in warm climates and require minimal care, making them suitable for gardeners of all skill levels who want to grow lemon grass successfully.

• Ornamental Value: With their graceful, tall blades, lemon grass live plants add an attractive, architectural element to garden beds, borders, or large decorative pots. Their lush green foliage provides a beautiful backdrop for other plants.

• Health Benefits: Beyond its culinary uses, lemongrass is often used in herbal teas for its purported digestive and calming properties, offering a natural way to support well-being directly from your garden.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

To ensure your lemon grass live plants flourish, understanding their care requirements is essential. Lemongrass thrives in warm, sunny conditions and requires well-draining soil. Upon arrival, plant the well-rooted stalks directly into your garden or suitable containers. Choose a location that receives full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Adequate sunlight is crucial for robust growth and optimal flavor development.

When it comes to watering, lemongrass prefers consistently moist, but not waterlogged, soil. Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, especially during hot, dry periods. Good drainage is paramount; sandy soil is ideal to prevent root rot. For optimal growth, fertilize your outdoor lemon grass plants every 4-6 weeks during the growing season with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer. In cooler climates, where temperatures drop below 40°F (4°C), lemongrass is typically grown as an annual or brought indoors during winter. These plants are best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 10-11, where they can be perennial. If you are outside these zones, consider growing them in pots that can be moved indoors before the first frost. Trim back older, yellowing stalks to encourage new growth and maintain plant vigor. This also helps to harvest the aromatic lemongrass stalks effectively.

Size & Details

This offering includes 10 individual lemon grass live plants, provided as well-rooted stalks, approximately 5-6 inches long. They are shipped without pots and are trimmed back to ensure healthy travel and easy planting. Each stalk is ready to be planted directly into your garden or a large container, where it will quickly establish itself. Expect these plants to grow vigorously, forming dense clumps that can reach heights of 3-5 feet and spread equally wide in ideal conditions. The growth rate is fast, allowing for multiple harvests throughout the warm season. With proper care, you can enjoy a continuous supply of fresh, fragrant lemongrass for all your culinary and aromatic needs. These vigorous lemongrass stalks are perfect for establishing a productive patch of fragrant lemon grass.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big do these lemon grass live plants get? A: In optimal conditions, these plants can grow 3-5 feet tall and wide, forming dense, grassy clumps. Their mature size depends on growing conditions and climate.

• Q: What condition will the lemongrass arrive in? A: Your lemon grass live plants will arrive as well-rooted stalks, approximately 5-6 inches long, without pots. They are trimmed back for safe transit and are ready for immediate planting.

• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Lemongrass is primarily an outdoor plant, thriving in full sun. In USDA Zones 10-11, it can be grown as a perennial. In cooler zones, it’s best grown as an annual or brought indoors during winter.

• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: These plants require at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to grow healthily and produce the best flavor and aroma. Full sun is essential for robust lemon grass live plants.

• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, lemongrass is relatively easy to care for once established. It requires consistent moisture, plenty of sunlight, and well-draining soil. It’s a great choice for both novice and experienced gardeners who want to grow lemon grass.

• Q: Can I use this lemon grass in cooking? A: Absolutely! These lemon grass live plants are perfect for culinary use. The lower, thicker part of the stalk is used to impart a fresh, lemony flavor to various dishes, teas, and beverages.

• Q: When is the best time to plant these lemongrass stalks? A: The best time to plant is after the last frost in spring, once soil temperatures have warmed up. This allows the plants ample time to establish themselves before cooler weather.

• Q: What soil type is best for growing lemon grass? A: Lemongrass prefers fertile, well-draining soil, ideally a sandy loam. Good drainage is crucial to prevent waterlogging and root issues.

• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: Lemon grass live plants are perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 and warmer. In colder zones, they will not survive winter outdoors and should be treated as annuals or moved indoors.

• Q: How often should I water my outdoor lemon grass? A: Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between waterings to avoid overwatering.