Can You Grow Lemongrass from Store Bought?

Yes, you can absolutely grow lemongrass from store-bought stalks. Most grocery store lemongrass is still alive and just needs a little water and warmth to sprout roots. With a few simple steps, you can turn a produce aisle purchase into a thriving plant for your garden or kitchen windowsill.

How do you choose store-bought lemongrass for planting?

Not every stalk in the store will grow. Pick stalks that look fresh and firm, not dried out or mushy. Look for bulbs that still have a little moisture at the base. Avoid stalks with brown, slimy cut ends or any moldy spots.

Best signs of a healthy stalk:

• The bulb (bottom inch or two) is pale green or light yellow and slightly swollen.
• The outer layers are tight and not peeling away.
• There is no dark ring or soft spot at the cut end.
• The leaves are green and not completely wilted.

If you can, buy organic lemongrass. Non-organic stalks are sometimes sprayed with a growth inhibitor to keep them from sprouting in the store. Organic stalks usually have a much higher success rate.

What is the best method to root lemongrass stalks?

The easiest method is water rooting. You only need a glass or jar, some water, and a sunny spot.

Step-by-step water rooting:

1. Trim off the top leaves, leaving about 4–6 inches of stalk above the bulb. This reduces water loss.
2. Peel off any dry or loose outer layers from the bulb. You want a clean, pale base.
3. Slice a thin disk off the very bottom of the bulb with a sharp knife. This exposes fresh tissue and encourages root growth.
4. Place the stalks in a glass with about 1 inch of water. Only the bottom of the bulb should sit in water, not the whole stalk.
5. Set the glass on a warm windowsill with bright, indirect light. Change the water every 2–3 days to prevent rot.

If you want to speed up rooting, you can dip the cut bottom end in rooting hormone powder before placing it in water. Rooting hormone isn’t required, but it can help stubborn stalks. Look for a general rooting hormone powder if you have trouble getting roots to appear.

Should you root lemongrass in water or soil?

Water rooting is the most reliable for beginners. You can see the roots forming, and it’s easy to keep the base moist without overwatering. Soil rooting works too, but it’s trickier. If you plant directly in soil, you have to keep it consistently damp without letting the stalk rot.

Water rooting pros: visible progress, easy to change water, less chance of rot if done right.

Soil rooting pros: no need to transfer later, roots are already adapted to soil.

Most gardeners recommend water rooting first. Once roots are about 1–2 inches long, move the stalk to a pot with soil.

How long does it take for lemongrass to root?

Roots usually appear within 7–14 days. Some stalks may start showing tiny white bumps at the base after just 4–5 days. Others can take up to three weeks, especially if the stalk was older or less fresh.

Typical timeline:

• Day 3–5: small nubs or bumps appear near the base.
• Day 7–10: thin white roots grow ½ to 1 inch long.
• Day 14–21: roots are 2–3 inches long and ready for planting.

Be patient. If a stalk hasn’t rooted after 3 weeks, it may have been too old or damaged. Try a fresher stalk.

What kind of soil and pot do you need for lemongrass?

Lemongrass is not picky, but it does best in well-draining, rich soil. Use a general purpose potting mix and mix in some sand or perlite if it seems heavy. A pot with drainage holes is essential – lemongrass hates sitting in soggy water.

Pot size guidelines:

• For one or two stalks: use a pot at least 8 inches wide and 8 inches deep.
• For a clump of stalks: use a 12–14 inch pot or larger.
• Lemongrass grows into a big, bushy plant – give it room.

You can also plant directly in the ground if you live in a warm climate (zones 9–11). In cooler areas, keep it in a pot so you can move it indoors in winter.

How much sun and water does lemongrass need?

Lemongrass craves sunlight. Give it at least 6–8 hours of direct sun each day. A south-facing window or a sunny patio works great. Without enough light, the stalks get leggy and weak.

Watering routine:

• Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Stick your finger in the pot to check.
• In hot summer months, you might need to water every day or every other day.
• In winter, water less – let the soil dry out more between waterings.

Yellowing leaves often mean too much water. Droopy, curled leaves mean too little water. Adjust as needed.

Can you grow lemongrass indoors or outdoors?

You can grow it both ways, but there are a few differences.

Indoors: Lemongrass makes a nice houseplant. Keep it in a large pot near a sunny window. It won’t get as huge as outdoor plants, but you can still harvest stalks. Indoor plants need extra attention to humidity – mist the leaves sometimes if your home is dry.

Outdoors: In warm weather, lemongrass grows fast and tall – up to 3–4 feet. It works well in garden beds or large containers on a deck. Just remember to bring it inside before the first frost. Lemongrass cannot survive freezing temperatures. A large terracotta pot is a good choice for outdoor lemongrass because it lets excess moisture evaporate.

When should you harvest homegrown lemongrass?

Wait until your plant is established with several stalks – usually 3–4 months after planting the rooted stalk. Then you can start harvesting.

Harvest tips:

• Cut stalks at the base, as close to the soil as possible.
• Take only a few stalks from each plant at a time so it keeps growing.
• Thin out the oldest, thickest stalks first. The younger inner stalks keep producing.
• Lemongrass regrows from the cut base, so leave about 2 inches of stalk above ground for regrowth.

You can also harvest the leaves for tea or cooking, though the stalks are stronger in flavor.

What are common problems when growing store-bought lemongrass?

Most issues are easy to fix once you know what to look for.

Rot at the base: Usually caused by keeping the stalk too deep in water. Only the bottom ½ to 1 inch should sit in water. If you see mushiness, trim above the rot and try again with fresh water.

No roots after 3 weeks: The stalk may have been too old or dried out. Buy fresher stalks or look for organic ones. Also check if the water is too cold – lemongrass likes warmth (70–80°F).

Yellow leaves in soil: Often from too much water or poor drainage. Let the soil dry between waterings. Make sure the pot has drainage holes.

Pests: Spider mites and aphids can attack indoor lemongrass. Rinse the plant with a gentle spray of water or wipe leaves with a damp cloth. Neem oil spray works too.

Leggy, thin stalks: Not enough sunlight. Move the plant to a brighter spot.

Simple checklist for growing lemongrass from store-bought stalks

If you want to try rooting multiple stalks at once, a set of glass propagation vases can help you keep them organized and visible.

Can you replant the same stalk after harvesting?

Yes. When you cut a stalk for cooking or tea, leave the bulb and roots in the ground. New shoots will grow from that base. You can keep harvesting from the same plant for months or even years, as long as you give it warmth and light.

After about a year, the plant may get crowded. Divide it by pulling apart the clump and replanting sections into separate pots. That’s how you multiply your lemongrass for free.

When moving plants indoors for winter, good pruning shears make it easy to trim back the tall leaves so the plant fits inside.

Growing lemongrass from grocery store stalks is one of the easiest kitchen garden projects. It costs almost nothing, requires very little space, and gives you fresh lemongrass for cooking, tea, and natural mosquito repellent. Once you see those first white roots, you will wonder why you ever bought lemongrass in the produce section again.

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