How to Grow Lemongrass in Containers for Natural Aroma

Why Grow Lemongrass in Containers?

Lemongrass is a wonderfully fragrant, versatile herb that fills your space with fresh citrusy aroma while adding flavor to teas, curries, and cocktails. The best part? You don’t need a big garden to grow it—you can cultivate this warm-season beauty right on your balcony, patio, or windowsill. Its tall, slender stalks with vibrant green blades invite you to touch and smell them, giving you a natural, refreshing scent that brightens any room. Growing lemongrass in containers is rewarding because it’s low-maintenance, fast-growing, and adapts well to pots. If you’ve been hesitant, rest assured: you can do this, even with limited space or beginner-level skills. This guide walks you through every step with clear instructions and practical tips for success.

Getting Ready — What You’ll Need

To grow lemongrass successfully in pots, gather these essentials before you start planting:

• Container: Minimum 30 cm (12 inches) deep and 30 cm wide. Lemongrass needs space for its roots to spread. Terracotta, plastic, or glazed ceramic pots work—(if your area is very hot, use clay pots to keep roots cool).
• Drainage holes: Must be large and sufficient to prevent waterlogging.
• Soil mix: A loose blend of 70% loam, 20% compost, and 10% coarse sand or perlite for drainage and airflow. Avoid heavy clay soils that retain too much water.
• Fertilizer: A balanced, low nitrogen organic fertilizer (e.g., compost tea or fish emulsion) applied every 3–4 weeks. Nitrogen-heavy feeds cause excess leaf growth with fewer scents.
• Seedlings or stalks: Choose healthy young plants or seeds. Varieties like ‘East Indian’ or ‘Thai’ lemongrass are common and well-suited to container growth.
• Tools: Hand trowel for soil preparation, watering can with a fine rose for gentle watering, pruning scissors, and garden gloves.
• Light source: A spot receiving 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. (If indoors, consider a bright south-facing window or supplemental grow lights.)

For budget-friendly gardeners, reusing plastic nursery pots with drainage holes combined with homemade compost and coarse builder’s sand is an excellent eco-friendly alternative. Just ensure your container drains well and the soil is light enough to breathe.

Step-by-Step — How to Grow in Pots

1. Preparing Your Pot

Start by thoroughly cleaning your pot with warm, soapy water to remove any pathogens or residue that might harm the plant. Rinse well. Good drainage is critical; ensure your pot has holes totaling at least 5 cm (2 inches) in diameter combined. Place a drainage layer of about 2–3 cm (1 inch) of coarse gravel or broken pottery at the base—this prevents water from stagnating around roots.

Next, fill your pot with your prepared soil mix, leaving about 3 cm (1.5 inches) from the top to avoid overflow when watering. The soil should be moist but not soggy—think of the feel of a sponge that’s been wrung out: damp to touch but no dripping water. Avoid packing soil too tightly; lemongrass roots need space and oxygen.

A common mistake is using soil that’s too compact or pots without holes—both lead to root rot. Also, soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, between 6.0 and 7.0. You can test this with a home kit or buy prepared soil balanced for herbs and vegetables.

2. Sowing or Planting

If you’re starting from seed, plant lemongrass seeds at a shallow depth of 0.5 to 1 cm (0.2 to 0.4 inches). Space seeds about 10 cm (4 inches) apart to allow room as they sprout. Seeds germinate best between 25–30°C (77–86°F). Before sowing, soaking seeds in warm water for 12–24 hours softens the tough coat and improves germination—think of it as gently waking the seeds up.

By contrast, planting stalks or baby plants requires gently loosening the roots and positioning them so the base is just below the soil surface. Press soil firmly but gently around the roots for good contact.

When correctly planted, you’ll notice seeds settled evenly, the soil surface smooth and lightly firmed, yet still soft underneath to allow roots to push through easily.

Pro tip: Cover newly sown pots with a clear plastic bag or lid to trap moisture and warmth, checking daily. Remove covering once seedlings emerge, usually in 7–14 days, to prevent fungal issues.

3. Watering and Sunlight

Lemongrass thrives in warmth and steady moisture. Water deeply—until you see moisture draining from the container’s base—about 2–3 times per week in warm weather. If leaves begin to droop, check the soil: it should feel moist, not soggy or dry.

In hot, dry, or windy areas, group your pots together to create a microclimate that retains humidity. Adding mulch like straw at the pot surface keeps the soil cool and moist. During extreme heat or if your pots dry quickly, water early in the morning or late afternoon to prevent evaporation loss.

Lemongrass requires 6–8 hours of bright, direct sunlight daily for optimal growth. If you’re in a cloudier climate, supplement with grow lights or rotate pots frequently to maximize light exposure.

Watch the leaves: rich green blades that stand upright mean your plant is happy. Pale, floppy leaves indicate insufficient light or overwatering.

4. Feeding and Maintenance

Feed your lemongrass every 3–4 weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer low in nitrogen. Too much nitrogen leads to soft, watery leaves with less aroma. Good options include compost tea, diluted fish emulsion, or slow-release pellets labeled for herbs.

Maintain airflow in the pot by gently loosening the top layer of soil once a month to prevent crusting. Thin out crowded stalks by snipping the weakest stems at the base to encourage healthy growth and airflow.

Regularly check for yellowing or browning leaves, which may signal nutrient imbalance or watering issues. Avoid letting the soil become soggy—lemongrass likes moist, not wet roots.

“The secret is not more work — it’s regular care and observation.” I’ve found this to be true season after season: your plant tells you what it needs if you look closely.

5. Troubleshooting While They Grow

If you notice yellow leaves, the likely culprit is excess nitrogen. Switch to a fertilizer higher in phosphorus to promote strong stalks and aroma. For stunted or weak growth, assess sunlight—move the pot to a brighter spot. If your soil remains soggy and roots soften, recheck drainage—add more coarse sand or gravel.

Pests like aphids and spider mites sometimes appear. Gently spray leaves with water or use diluted insecticidal soap early in the morning. Keep leaves dry during watering to reduce fungal risks.

Also, if germination is poor, ensure seeds aren’t planted too deep—limit depth to 1 cm max. And avoid compact soil by always mixing in coarse sand or perlite to aid root expansion.

6. Harvesting

Lemongrass is ready to harvest around 70 to 90 days after sowing, when stalks are firm, about 30–60 cm (12–24 inches) tall, and the leaves emit a strong lemon scent when crushed. The outer stalk should be green and sturdy, not brown or wilted.

For best flavor, reduce watering during the final week before harvest—this concentrates oils and intensifies aroma. Use clean, sharp scissors to cut stalks near the base, pulling gently to avoid disturbing nearby roots.

You’ll hear a slight crisp snap as you cut through the stalk, and feel the cool, dense texture in your hand. Remove tough outer layers before using the tender core in recipes.

Store harvested lemongrass in a dark place around 4–7°C (39–45°F), wrapped in a damp paper towel inside a perforated plastic bag. It keeps fresh for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, consider drying or freezing thin sections.

Extra Tips for Perfect Results

• Use companion plants like basil, mint, rosemary, and marigold. They deter pests and improve overall growth.
• Rotate your pots each season to prevent soil fatigue and nutrient depletion.
• Mulch with straw or fallen leaves to retain humidity and suppress weeds in the pot.
• Use rainwater when possible—tap water sometimes leaves mineral deposits that harden soil texture.
• Cluster pots together in windy areas to reduce evaporation and aid pot stability.
• In regions with very hot midday sun, provide thin shade cloth for part of the day to prevent leaf scorch.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

• Overwatering: Leads to soft, rotting roots and yellow leaves. Let the top 2 cm (0.8 inches) of soil dry before watering again.
• Weak growth: Usually from too little light. Move your pot to a sunnier location.
• Yellow leaves: Caused by excess nitrogen fertilizer. Switch to a fertilizer with more phosphorus.
• Poor germination: From seeds planted too deep—keep depth at 0.5–1 cm maximum.
• Misshapen roots: Caused by compacted soil. Always mix your soil with coarse sand or perlite for good airflow.

Harvest and Storage

Harvest carefully by cutting stalks close to the base with scissors or pruning shears, avoiding disturbance to surrounding roots. This allows your plant to keep growing new shoots continuously.

Store freshly cut lemongrass in a cool, dark place between 4–7°C (39–45°F), wrapped damp in paper towels inside a perforated plastic bag. Use within 2 weeks for optimal flavor and texture.

For longer preservation, try drying stalks in a warm, ventilated area for several days or freeze thinly sliced stalks in airtight containers. Pickling with chilies and ginger also keeps lemongrass aromatic and usable for months.

If you’ve grown from seed, save seeds from mature flower heads at the end of the growing season. Let the seeds dry on a paper towel for a week before storing them in a cool, dry place ready for next year’s planting.

What Success Looks Like

When your lemongrass grows tall and lush, with vibrant green stalks full of lemony fragrance wafting through the air, you’ll feel a deep connection to your craft. The stalks should weigh about 1–2 kg (2–4 lb) per 30 cm (12 inch)-wide pot, enough to flavor several dishes or make refreshing tea.

Pulling your first firm, crisp stalk from the soil feels quietly satisfying. The fresh citrus scent, the sound of leaves brushing against each other in the breeze, and the warmth of the sun on your fingers are proof that patience and care pay dividends. With time, you’ll tune into your lemongrass’s rhythms and needs, forging a rewarding, sensory gardening experience.

Mini Recap — Your Success Checklist

• Pot depth: Minimum 30 cm (12 inches).
• Soil mix: 70% loam, 20% compost, 10% sand/perlite.
• Watering frequency: 2–3 times per week, adjust by touch.
• Sunlight: 6–8 hours daily.
• Fertilizer: Apply every 3–4 weeks, low nitrogen.
• Harvest time: 70–90 days after sowing.

Closing Reflection

Growing lemongrass in containers isn’t about perfection—it’s about consistent, attentive care. Every leaf you nurture teaches you something, every change in the plant’s coloring or growth pattern is a message. Trust the process, adjust as you go, and take joy in the simple act of growing. Watching your lemongrass thrive fills you with a quiet confidence that you’re connected to the earth in a genuine way. Remember: you are the gardener, and this journey is as refreshing as the herb itself.