Last summer, one of our allotment neighbours maintained a beehive. This was wonderful, as it meant that the crops on our patch acted like a giant food hall of free nectar for thousands of insatiable bees. Needless to say, we had a perfectly pollinated crop and a fantastic harvest. Sadly, this spring we learned the beehive was empty. The bees had left, absconded.
Perhaps if we’d had access to some lemongrass oil, we could have tempted the bees back into their hive. In beekeeping, lemongrass imitates the pheromone emitted by the glands of the honeybee to attract bees to the hive. However, a more common use for lemongrass is in Thai cooking, where its wonderful, fragrant citrus taste flavours stir-fries, curries and marinades.
Fresh lemongrass should feel heavy in your hand, full of oil and moisture. Much of the lemongrass sold in supermarkets has begun to dry out, and while it may retain its citrusy flavour and be suitable for home cooking, we recommend you use the freshest lemongrass possible if you’re planning to regrow the plant.
| Growing speed | Medium |
| Difficulty level | Medium |
| Position | Light |
| Temperature | Warm |
| Use | Edible/ornamental |
| Container | Small/medium |
You will need
Sharp knife
Fresh water
Drinking glass or jam jar
Small or medium-sized plant pot with drainage holes
and drip tray
Potting compost
Kitchen scissors
To regrow lemongrass
| 1 | Use a sharp knife to slice through your lemongrass stalks, retaining only the bottom 8cm (3¼in) of the stem. This should be the most bulbous part of the lemongrass and is lighter in colour than the rest of the stem. |
| 2 | Take a clean drinking glass or jam jar, choose the size depending on the number of lemongrass plants you’re aiming to regrow. Place the lemongrass cuttings in the vessel with the bulbous end at the bottom. Fill the glass or jar with cool, clean water, but be sure to only submerge the lower half of the bulbous area. It is in this zone that the new roots will soon grow. |
| 3 | Place your vessel on a bright windowsill or anywhere that is both warm and full of light. |
| 4 | Change the water every day to keep it fresh, while keeping an eye on your cuttings for signs of regrowth. These should appear within the first 14 days. You should soon see a cluster of roots growing from the bottom of your cutting. |
| 5 | When you’re absolutely sure your lemongrass has begun to regrow, it’s time to transfer it to a plant pot so it can begin its journey to becoming a fully grown lemongrass plant once more. Take a small or medium-sized plant pot with adequate drainage and fill it with potting compost. |
| 6 | Transfer your lemongrass cuttings directly into the potted soil, submerging the base of the cutting into the soil up to around half the height of the bulbous area. Thoroughly water your plant(s) and place the pot in a bright, warm location. Remember to keep watering your new plant(s) so that the soil doesn’t dry out. |
| 7 | Within a matter of weeks, your lemongrass will grow in height and strength. To reap your harvest, use a sharp pair of kitchen scissors to cut into the living plant, but be sure to only remove the top half of the shoots so that your plant can continue to grow. |
| 8 | Lemongrass plants look really great as house or garden plants, so bear in mind you don’t necessarily have to eat them to feel totally satisfied with your growing project. |
Tips
To make a lemongrass gin and tonic, take one or two stem cuttings of your regrown lemongrass, bash them using a pestle and mortar and add them to a 250ml (8½fl oz) bottle of gin along with the peel of a fresh lime. Leave to infuse overnight. Use the lemongrass-infused gin as you would in any gin and tonic. The infusion adds a wonderful aromatic quality to the cocktail.
Potted homegrown lemongrass makes a great housewarming gift.
Lemongrass is also known as citronella. In warm climates where it grows wild, the plant forms huge tufts of tall grass up to 2m (6½ft) in height. If you live in a part of the world that experiences a cold winter and plan to grow lemongrass for ornamental purposes in your garden, it’s a good idea to plant the lemongrass in a pot so it can be brought inside to a garage or porch over colder months, to avoid being damaged by frost.