With proper care, the lemongrass thrives magnificently

Content

• With proper care, the lemongrass thrives magnificently
• The water requirement
• Moderately fertilizing
• Cutting and harvesting
• Place lemongrass in the open or repot
• So the spice comes over the winter
• Control of pests
• Tips & Tricks

With proper care, the lemongrass thrives magnificently

Lemongrass (Cymbogon citratus) is a popular spice that gives a touch of lemony, aromatic flavor to many Asian-inspired foods and drinks. The plant forms stable stalks and is relatively easy to maintain, provided you meet their tropical demands for warmth and winter protection.

Next article Cut lemongrass for use in the kitchen

The water requirement

Depending on the weather, pour lemongrass about two to three times a week during the summer months. Between the individual waterings, you should absolutely let the earth dry. Lemongrass tolerates short dry periods better than waterlogging, which quickly leads to root rot.

Moderately fertilizing

Lemongrass should only be fertilized during the growth phase from April to September. Most suitable are organic vegetable or herbal fertilizers, as they are optimally adapted to the needs of the plant in their nutrient composition.

Cutting and harvesting

You can carefully separate one of the onion-like thickenings from the eyrie throughout the year and use it fresh in the kitchen.

Place lemongrass in the open or repot

The best time to implement the lemongrass is the spring. By the autumn you can plant the spice directly into the field. If you want to cultivate lemongrass on your balcony or terrace, now is the time to put it in a larger planter. The lemongrass prefers a slightly acidic substrate. Well-suited is conventional potting soil, which loosen up with a little sand. In order to avoid waterlogging, it is advisable to apply a drainage layer of gravel or expanded clay both in the garden and in the planter.

So the spice comes over the winter

Lemongrass is not frost hardy and should not overwinter outdoors in our latitudes. Already when the nights are getting colder the spice should move into the house. Well suited for hibernation is a bright, warm place with temperatures between 20 and 22 degrees. Ensure sufficient humidity.

Control of pests

Small mosquitoes, which fly up during the pouring, indicate an infestation with mourning gnats. While the adult animals pose no threat to the plant, the larvae can provide for a weakening of the lemongrass.

They cause:

Since the mourning mosquito lays its eggs only in very damp soil, you should not keep the substrate too wet. Always water the spice in the pot from below. Alternatively, you can fight with yellow mosquitoes.

Tips & Tricks

Lemongrass has very hard and sharp leaf edges. Care should therefore be taken when cultivating the spice plant, as you may incur cuts on the leaf margins.

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