If you want to grow lemongrass in a pot in your home, then this article is very useful for you. Growing lemongrass in pots is easy for those who have limited space or who live in areas with cold temperatures. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to grow lemongrass From seed in India. In this article, you Will know how to grow lemon grass in a pot or grow bag? And how to protect the plant from pests? For more information, read this article completely.
What is lemongrass?
Lemongrass is a tropical plant used in culinary and medicinal applications in various cultures around the world. Lemongrass is known for its lemony flavor and aroma. It comes from the Poaceae family which includes grasses like wheat, maize and bamboo. Let us tell you that lemongrass is a thin-tall grass medicinal plant whose scientific name is Cymbopogon. The leaves and oil of this plant are also used to make medicines, Which are beneficial for your health. You can also make herbal tea from the Powder of its dry leaves.
Learn: How to Grow Vegetables Easily From Seeds At Home
Easy Step to Grow lemongrass at home From Seeds
1. Choose a good grow container or grow bag
To grow lemongrass, choose a container or grow bag that is at least 12-16 inches in diameter and has adequate drainage holes in the bottom. A container with proper drainage protects the roots from waterlogging.
2. Use well-drained soil
After selecting the container, fill it with well-draining potting mix. Sandy loam soil is good for potting lemongrass plant. You can prepare it at home by using 60% soil, 20% compost and 20% sand. The pH value of soil should be between 6-7. It prefers slightly acidic soil to neutral soil. You can also use ready-made potting soil for plants, it is rich in all the nutrients.
3. Get Lemongrass seed:
You can grow lemongrass in pots either through seeds or pre-existing stalks. If opting for seeds, ensure they are of high quality. Quality lemongrass seeds can be conveniently sourced from reputable seed shops, and for an online option, you might explore Organicbazar.net.
For online seed purchase, simply click here
4. plant seeds
Now sow the seeds at a depth of about 1/4 inch in the soil or potting mix and press them gently. Do not bury the seeds too deeply, as they need adequate sunlight to germinate.
5. Watering
After planting the seeds in pot or grow bag, watering the soil the thoroughly with the help of a spray bottle. During the germination period, keep the soil consistently moist. Use a spray bottle for watering, as this can help prevent damage to the seeds.
6. Germination
Lemongrass seeds take 14-21 days to germinate.
7. Sunlight
Place the pot or grow bag in a place where it gets full sunlight for at least 6-8 hours a day. Lemongrass thrives in sunshine and warmth. But it requires less sunlight in the months of May and June.
Lemongrass Plant Care at Home
Watering
hen a lemongrass plant grows to a few inches tall, it requires less water. You can water it every other day. but in summer season If there is no moisture in the air, continue to water the lemongrass regularly. Ensure good drainage to prevent waterlogging of the roots.
Fertilization
Once lemongrass seedlings are established, you can use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer throughout the growing season. For good growth of plants, organic fertilizers like cow dung, vermicompost, mustard cake and neem cake can also be used.
Pruning
Lemongrass Plant Pruning You can prune the damaged parts of the plant. When the potted lemongrass plant exceeds 6 inches in height, you should prune 1/3 of it and remove the damaged parts from the plant.
Pest and disease control in lemongrass
lemongrass rust, a fungus that can make brown, red, and yellow stripes show up on the leaves. This usually happens if the pot gets too wet. To prevent this use well drains soil in the Pot. To keep pests away, spray need oil on the plants. This helps protect your lemongrass and keeps it healthy.
Read More: What is No-dig gardening and How to Start it in India?
Protect from cold
If you live in a cold area, consider keeping potted lemongrass indoors during the cold months or providing them with proper protection.
Harvesting
Once your lemongrass plants are thriving, it’s time to reap the rewards! When the stalks reach a diameter of about 1/2 to 1 inch, they’re ready for harvesting. Alternatively, you can wait for approximately 60–80 days after planting to gather the fresh lemongrass.
Read More: How to start a compost pile in your backyard
