Growing Lemongrass in Australia: The Complete Guide
Lemongrass is an easy perennial herb to grow, needing full , warm sun with regular watering.
If you're thinking about adding lemongrass to the homestead, here's the real detail behind our printable guide — what it actually takes to grow it well in an Australian garden.
A large, useful clump
Lemongrass forms a substantial clump over a season or two and divides easily — a few plants can quickly become a hedge-sized supply.
Planting Lemongrass
Method — plant a nursery seedling or a rooted stem from a supermarket bunch. Soil — rich, well-drained. Timing — plant in spring once frost risk has passed.
Ongoing Care
Worth paying attention to:
- Water regularly through the warmer months.
- Feed occasionally with compost.
- Divide the clump every couple of years to keep it vigorous.
- Protect from frost in cooler zones — foliage dies back but the base often survives.
What Can Go Wrong
Keep these points in mind:
- Frost damage — the main risk in cooler zones; mulch heavily over winter.
- Rust — occasional leaf spotting; improve airflow.
- Few other pest issues — a generally trouble-free plant.
- Slow establishment — be patient in the first season.
When and How to Harvest
Signs — usable once stems reach pencil thickness at the base. Method — cut stalks at the base, use the lower white-pink section. Curing — none needed; can be frozen for longer storage. Storage — fridge, a couple of weeks; frozen, several months.
For the condensed, printable version of everything above, head to the main lemongrass guide page.