Lemongrass: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
When and how do you sow lemongrass under warm cover?
Sow lemongrass in spring in a bright, genuinely warm place. A roof alone or an unheated greenhouse does not ensure suitable temperatures. Check the botanical name on the packet: this sheet concerns culinary lemongrass, Cymbopogon citratus. Other species can also be sold under similar common names. Use seed intended for sowing rather than relying on seed collected from a garden plant, where flowering may be uncommon.
Fill small pots or modules with free-draining seed compost and moisten it. Scatter the seeds thinly over the surface and cover with a very fine layer of compost. Maintain a steady temperature of about 20–25 °C. Avoid placing pots directly against a radiator, which can quickly dry out the compost. Keep it slightly moist, without standing water.
Germination can take several weeks and depends on seed quality and conditions. Once shoots appear, maintain warmth and good light so seedlings do not become weak and drawn. Ventilate any cover and remove it gradually. Pot on gently once roots occupy the small container. Wait for sufficient growth and suitable outdoor conditions before acclimatising the plants and carrying out the separate planting task.
When and how do you plant lemongrass?
How to care for this plant
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Prepare for overwintering
To keep your tender plant for next year, prepare a bright place at a temperature suitable for the species. Watch forecast night temperatures and move it under cover before they become too cold: some plants suffer from cold before frost arrives.
When and how do you harvest lemongrass?
