When my husband and I started camping many moons ago, we made the rookie mistake of heading north in Ontario, Canada in prime black fly and mosquito season. Needless to say, it was a disaster. However, the bugs could not take away from the rugged beauty of Lake Superior. One thing we learned on that trip is that an excellent natural mosquito fighter that works is citronella. It turns out lemongrass is packed with this fragrant component. It has a strong, but pleasant citrusy scent humans love but mosquitoes hate. However, lemongrass also offers other benefits including helping you relax and easing headaches. Better yet, it is also an excellent plant to grow at home.
What Is Lemongrass?
Lemongrass is an herb often used in Thai cuisine. It tastes and smells of lemon with a unique pungency that is quite pleasing. The edible part of the plant is small in comparison to the green, grassy plumes. The cane-like bottoms only reach about a foot and a half tall. Although it does have a flower, the plant rarely blooms.
Lemongrass has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties as well as providing a sedative effect. It contains citronellal, terpinolene, and myrcene which all offer their own benefits.
Appearance Of Lemongrass
If you saw lemongrass growing in a garden, you would mistake it for ornamental grass. This is another good reason to consider planting some at home. The pretty bluish hue and full bushy strands add a punch of color when grown in a planter on a patio, balcony or indoors.
Germinating Lemongrass Seeds
This is an easy-care plant to grow from seeds. It begins with sowing the lemongrass seeds in the soil, allowing it to germinate from January to March. The ideal temperature for germination is around 68 degrees Fahrenheit. The little pots should be moist, but not wet. Seeds will take from 20 to 40 days to sprout.
Growing Lemongrass Plants
Lemongrass likes warm, light areas, but won’t do too well in direct sunlight. Once your seeds sprout, you can replant them in cups until they reach a reasonable size. You can then plant them into their final containers.
Lemongrass In Colder Climes
If you live in the north, while lemongrass does quite well in the summer months, it doesn’t take too kindly to ice and cold temperatures. If you keep your lemongrass outdoors, you can store your lemongrass in a cool place where it won’t be exposed to the elements in the winter. Water it occasionally.
Your lemongrass won’t be useful until you begin to see thicker shoots appear. They can take several years to make an appearance. To keep the plant full, in the fall, make sure you trim any low-growing stems.
How To Use Lemongrass
You can use lemongrass in many ways including:
- Drying the leaves for tea
- Applying the oils to relieve headaches, joint and muscle pain
- Using the plant to repel mosquitoes
- Using the tender yellow shoots for cooking
- Using the essential oils to help reduce stress and anxiety
Lemongrass offers many benefits including a pretty plant ideal for potting. I can attest to its effectiveness for warding off the bugs, not to mention its lovely taste in tea and cooking.
