West Indian Lemongrass
Cymbopogon citratus

days to maturity:
plant spacing: 1 plant every 3 feet
sunlight requirements: 8-14 hours
look out for: rust
harvest notes: prune
seasons: fall, winter, spring and summer
perennial

Lemongrass is a perennial grass often grown for its fragrant leaves and stalks. While perennial, lemongrass typically has a life span of around 4 years before it looses vigor and should be harvested entirely and replanted. The stalks (leaf bases) of the plant are commonly used to flavor dishes in Southeast Asia & India and the heart of young shoots may be cooked and consumed as a vegetable. The tougher less edible leaves are used to flavor dishes or made into tea.

The extracted essential oil is commonly used in insect repellents, perfumes and soaps, and while people think that means a lemongrass plant in the yard will keep mosquitos away, thats actually not the case since the plant needs to be crushed and its oils extracted in order for it to repel insects.

Our resident herbalist, The Garden Jules, says “Lemongrass is super rich in vitamins A & C, so this is one of my favorite plants to make a Hydrosol out of for my skin care routine. I also love using a Hydrosol blended with a lemongrass and beautyberry witch hazel extract tincture as a natural mosquito repellent."