Lemongrass is a versatile and aromatic herb, popular in many cuisines and valued for its ornamental qualities. Replanting is an effective way to propagate new plants, rejuvenate existing ones, or expand your garden.
Understanding Lemongrass Replanting
Replanting lemongrass offers several benefits, including refreshing older plants, moving them, or overwintering in colder climates. The optimal time for replanting is early to mid-spring, after any risk of frost has passed. This timing allows the plant to establish and encourages vigorous growth. Lemongrass thrives in warm conditions, preferring temperatures consistently above 60°F (15°C) for successful establishment.
Replanting Lemongrass from Stalks
Propagating lemongrass from store-bought stalks is straightforward. Select healthy, firm stalks, preferably with some bulb intact at the base. Trim any dead or dried leaves, and if top leaves are long, cut them back to 3-5 inches to reduce moisture loss and encourage root development.
Place prepared stalks, bulb-end down, in a jar with 1-2 inches of water, ensuring only the bottom is submerged. Position the jar in a bright location, such as a sunny windowsill, and change water every 1-2 days to prevent fungal growth. Within 1-2 weeks, new leaves and small roots should emerge. Allow roots to grow 1-2 inches before transplanting into soil.
Plant each rooted stalk into a pot or garden bed with well-draining, fertile soil, ensuring the crown is just below the surface. Gently firm the soil around the base and water thoroughly to settle it and reduce transplant shock.
Dividing and Replanting Established Lemongrass
Dividing an established lemongrass clump is an excellent way to propagate new plants and invigorate overgrown specimens. The best time is spring, after the last frost, or fall in warmer climates if plants will be brought indoors for winter. Water the mature plant well to moisten the soil, making it easier to remove from the ground.
Carefully dig around the entire clump, aiming to keep the root ball intact. Once lifted, use a sharp spade, hori hori knife, or serrated knife to divide it into smaller sections. Each section should have several healthy stalks and a portion of the root system. Trim the tops of the stalks on each division back by about half to minimize stress during replanting.
Replant these divisions into prepared soil in your garden or individual pots, spacing them 24-36 inches apart if planting directly in the ground to allow for future growth. After planting, water the newly divided sections thoroughly.
Post-Replanting Care
Proper care after replanting is important for successful establishment. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged for the first few weeks. Lemongrass prefers well-draining soil and can suffer if roots sit in soggy conditions. After initial establishment, water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry.
Initially, place newly replanted lemongrass in partial shade to help them recover from transplant shock. Gradually move them to a spot that receives full sun, ideally 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day, as lemongrass thrives in bright conditions. Wait 2-3 weeks before applying any fertilizer to allow the plants to settle. A balanced organic fertilizer can then be applied once or twice a year.
Troubleshooting and Tips
Even with careful replanting, issues can arise. If replanted lemongrass shows signs of stress, such as wilting or yellowing leaves, it could be due to overwatering or underwatering. Check soil moisture carefully; consistently soggy soil can lead to root rot, while overly dry soil can cause wilting. Ensure the planting site or pot has adequate drainage.
Brown or yellowing leaves can also indicate a lack of nitrogen, as lemongrass is a heavy feeder. Removing any dead or damaged leaves promptly helps maintain plant health and reduces fungal disease risk.
Lemongrass is generally pest-resistant, but spider mites can affect plants, especially those overwintered indoors. In colder climates, consider growing lemongrass in containers so they can be moved indoors before temperatures drop below 40°F (4°C) to protect them from frost.