Tropical grass with strong lemon flavour.

How to grow 
Lemongrass can be grown from seed sown from late January to March. As it’s a tropical plant, the seed needs heat to germinate so sow in a heated propagator. Transplant the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or on the kitchen windowsill.

Lemongrass is readily available nowadays in most large supermarkets as cut stems. Providing the stem is fresh and the base hasn’t been over-trimmed, you can get it to root in a jar of water before potting it up.

How to care for lemongrass
Keep your lemongrass well watered in summer and give it a liquid feed every now and then. Keep just moist in winter and ensure you don’t over water. Lemongrass fares best if grown permanently in a container in the greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill.

How to harvest 
Cut off one stem close to the root and use 10-12 cm of the stalk starting from the base and discarding the outer leaves.

Recommended varieties 

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) doesn’t have any named varieties so go for the plain type as either plants or – if you’re feeling adventurous – seed.