How to Grow Lemon Grass

Keep a pot of this easy-to-grow herb on a sunny windowsill, then harvest it fresh for Thai dishes or delicious teas.
 

The stems of this tender aromatic herb have a tangy lemon taste. Fresh stems, available in many Asian grocery stores and supermarkets, root easily to create new plants. 

Select firm stems that have a woody, light brown base.
When to Plant: Early spring
At Its Best: All year round
Time to Complete: 30 minutes

Materials Needed:

• fresh lemon grass stems
• glass or jar of water
• sharp knife
• 3-in. plastic pots

• soil-based potting mix
• liquid houseplant fertilizer
• decorative indoor plante

Root the Stems

Buy fresh lemon grass stems and put the bulbous ends in a jar of water. Stand them on a bright windowsill for a few weeks until a good root system has developed. Change the water weekly.

Trim and Plant

Fill small pots with soil-based potting mix. Trim off the top of each stem and pot the young plants up. Water well, and keep on a warm, sunny windowsill, or in a greenhouse.

Care and Maintenance

Water well during summer, and apply a liquid fertilizer every two weeks. Move them up into larger pots as they grow. In winter, keep the soil just moist. To harvest, cut the stems close to the roots.