Can You Grow Lemongrass in UK?

Yes, you can absolutely grow lemongrass in the UK, but it needs a bit of care because it comes from warm tropical regions. This herb is not winter-hardy outdoors, so you'll need to grow it in a pot that can be moved indoors or protect it from frost. With the right approach, you can enjoy fresh lemongrass for teas, curries, and stir-fries from your own garden or windowsill.

Is Lemongrass Hardy in the UK Climate?

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a tropical plant native to warm, humid areas like India and Southeast Asia. In the UK, it is not fully hardy. That means it cannot survive outside all year round. Temperatures below 5°C will kill the leaves and damage the roots. Frost will kill the plant completely. However, you can grow it successfully as a tender perennial if you bring it indoors before autumn. Or you can treat it as an annual and start fresh each spring.

The key is to provide warm conditions – lemongrass loves sun and humidity. In many parts of the UK, you can keep a pot outside from late May to early October. After that, move it to a bright, frost-free spot indoors. With this method, you can harvest stalks year after year.

How to Grow Lemongrass in the UK – Step by Step

You have two main ways to start: buy a small plant from a garden centre or grow your own from supermarket stalks. Both work well. Follow these simple steps:

• Choose a sunny spot. Lemongrass needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. A south-facing window, a heated greenhouse, or a warm patio are perfect.
• Use a large pot. A container at least 30 cm wide and deep gives roots room. Drainage holes are essential.
• Use well-draining compost. Mix multipurpose potting soil with 20% perlite or sharp sand to improve drainage.
• Plant in late spring. After the last frost (usually mid-May in southern UK, early June in the north), place the plant outside. Or start indoors earlier.
• Water regularly. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. In hot weather, water every day.
• Feed monthly. Use a balanced liquid fertiliser (e.g., seaweed feed) during the growing season.

A useful checklist for a quick start:

Can You Grow Lemongrass from Supermarket Stalks?

Yes, this is the easiest and cheapest method. Choose fresh, firm stalks with the base still attached. Avoid stalks that look dry or shrivelled. The method is simple:

• Place the stalks in water. Put the base end (about 2 cm) in a glass of water. Set it on a sunny windowsill.
• Change water every 2 days. After 1–2 weeks, roots and shoots should appear.
• Pot up when roots are 2–3 cm long. Then treat as a normal plant.

Another method: stick the stalk base directly into moist potting compost. Keep the soil warm and cover with a clear plastic bag to create humidity. New growth appears in 3–4 weeks. This works well in spring.

If you want to give new growth a boost, a seedling heat mat can help maintain soil temperature around 20°C, which speeds up rooting. A small propagator also does the job.

What Is the Best Soil and Pot for Lemongrass in the UK?

Lemongrass hates sitting in water, so drainage is more important than soil richness. Use a multi-purpose compost mixed with grit or perlite (about 1 part grit to 4 parts compost). A terracotta pot is ideal because it breathes and helps prevent overwatering. Plastic pots work too, but ensure many drainage holes.

Size matters: a single plant will fill a 30 cm pot in one season. If you want a clump, use a larger container. A 30 cm terracotta pot can house several stalks for a fuller look. Avoid tiny pots – roots need space to spread and produce thick stalks.

How to Care for Lemongrass Indoors Over Winter

This is the trickiest part for UK gardeners. Before the first frost (usually October), move your pot indoors. Choose the brightest spot you have – a south-facing windowsill is best. If natural light is low, you can use a grow light for 12–14 hours a day to prevent the plant from going dormant.

Reduce watering in winter. Let the top 2 cm of soil dry out before watering again – maybe once every 10–14 days. Stop feeding completely until spring. The plant may look a bit sad, with older leaves turning brown. That's normal. Cut off dead leaves to keep it tidy.

If you have a heated greenhouse or conservatory, that's perfect. Otherwise, a cool room (10–15°C) with good light works. Avoid placing it near cold draughts or radiators – both stress the plant.

When and How to Harvest Lemongrass in the UK

You can start harvesting once the plant has several stems and is at least 30 cm tall – usually from July to October. Pick stalks from the outside of the clump, slicing them at the base with a sharp knife. Take no more than one-third of the stems at a time so the plant stays healthy.

Lemongrass grows quickly in summer. A well-fed plant can produce 20–30 stalks in a season. Each stalk gives you a woody base (the best part for cooking) and green leaves (great for tea). To store, wrap stalks in a plastic bag and refrigerate for up to 3 weeks. You can also freeze or dry them.

If you let a stalk flower, it won't taste as good, so harvest before that happens. Flowering is rare in the UK unless the summer is very hot.

Common Problems and Pests When Growing Lemongrass in the UK

Lemongrass is generally tough, but a few issues can occur:

• Spider mites. These tiny pests love dry indoor air. Mist the leaves regularly or use an insecticidal soap.
• Slugs. They may nibble outdoor leaves in wet summers. Use copper tape around the pot or beer traps.
• Yellow leaves. Usually overwatering or cold water. Let soil dry a bit. Use water at room temperature.
• Leggy growth. Not enough light indoors. Move to a sunnier window or add a grow light.
• Root rot. Caused by soggy soil. Always use well-draining compost and a pot with holes.

If you see black spots on leaves, it's likely fungal. Remove affected leaves and improve air circulation.

Can You Plant Lemongrass Directly in the Ground in the UK?

In theory, yes – but only in the mildest areas of the UK, like London, the south coast, or sheltered urban gardens. Even then, you must protect the roots from frost. The best method is to plant in a container buried in the ground. That way you can lift the whole pot in autumn. If you plant directly, cover the crown with a thick layer of mulch in winter (straw, bark, or garden fleece). Many gardeners lose plants this way, so pots are safer.

For most UK regions, container growing is the only reliable method. A pot also allows you to move the plant to a sunnier spot when needed.

How to Propagate Lemongrass to Get More Plants

Lemongrass forms clumps over time. In spring, when you bring the pot out of winter storage, you can divide the clump. Gently pull apart the root mass into sections, each with several stalks. Replant each section in its own pot. This gives you free plants and rejuvenates the original clump.

You can also propagate from cuttings. Take a leaf stalk with a bit of the bulbous base, put it in water, and wait for roots. This method is slower but still works.

What Are the Best Varieties of Lemongrass for UK Gardens?

The species commonly sold as "lemongrass" in supermarkets and garden centres is Cymbopogon citratus – the true East Indian lemongrass used in cooking. It's the most reliable for UK conditions. Another variety, "Cymbopogon flexuosus" (Cochin or Malabar grass), is similar but slightly more tender. Stick with Cymbopogon citratus for the best results.

You might also see "lemon grass" sold as a garden ornamental – but make sure it's the edible type. If the label doesn't say "culinary" or "Cymbopogon citratus", smell the leaves. True lemongrass has a strong citrus scent.

With these tips, you can successfully grow lemongrass in the UK. Start with a few stalks from the supermarket, give them warmth, light, and protection from frost, and you'll have a steady supply of this aromatic herb for your kitchen.

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