Last updated on September 26th, 2022 at 09:40 am
Some herbs exhibit unusual growth patterns while others grow moderately. Herbs that grow taller can add a beautiful background to more miniature plants in the garden.
Lemongrass exhibits an unusual growth pattern which is why it is mainly referred to as a shrub-like herb. The height of this herb’s attractive green leaves, amongst other features, is of great interest to gardeners.
So how tall does Lemongrass grow? Lemongrass can grow up to three (3) to five (5) feet in height. The secret behind the growth of Lemongrass is the climate! It may also interest you to know that it can grow up to a stunning height of (ten) 10 feet when planted in perfect climatic conditions.
How Tall Does Lemongrass Grow In a Pot?
Lemongrass, an otherwise easy to grow herb, becomes difficult to grow when potted because it grows and spreads tall.
Growing potted Lemongrass, you’ll require a suitable pot that has enough space to contain your Lemongrass. In addition, due to its tall and speedy growth, dividing and repotting would be demanded frequently.
Plant in a good draining pot, preferably one foot wide and one foot deep, so it doesn’t tip over when it grows. If you intend on planting more than one seed, ensure you space it 1-2 feet apart.
Your soil should also be a well-draining one. It would be best to place your pot in a conducive and suitable location inside the house.
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Make sure your pot is not above the average size mentioned above. When you use a bigger pot, you will be faced with the challenge of your Lemongrass overgrowing to a size that isn’t manageable indoors.
With such growth, Lemongrass may lose its ornamental value. So instead, plant lemongrass in several smaller pots. Still, planting your Lemongrass in a small pot has its effect.
The root of this plant bulks up a whole deal and spreads out, leading to cracks and eventual breaking up of the pot. In this stressful and congested condition, Lemongrass will grow stunted and not to its full height. So, never attempt planting Lemongrass in a small pot.
Lemongrass should grow up to three (3) feet tall in pots. Any size more extensive than this is unfit for growing in pots, especially when indoors.
Meeting the requirements in spacing and lighting for cultivating potted Lemongrass is essential to obtain the desired height of the herb. Proper spacing and sufficient sunlight allow Lemongrass to reach the desired height in pots.
How Fast Does Lemongrass Grow?
Aside, its incredible growing height, Lemongrass can also grow pretty quickly. It begins to germinate within one week of its cultivation.
The speed of its growth is solely dependent on some growing conditions like climate and soil type. It grows fastest in tropical or subtropical climates on sandy to clay loam soil with a pH range of about 5.0 to 8.4.
Lemongrass grass is a fast grower that establishes and matures in a single season. In proper conditions, a healthy lemongrass plant could be ready to harvest in just 75 to 100 days in about 3 months!
The speed of growth and maturity in Lemongrass is genuinely exceptional, especially for a perennial herb.
The growing speed of Lemongrass is the more likely reason why you will have to be dividing and repotting your Lemongrass every successive year.
Better still, you can harvest your Lemongrass and use it for cooking and other things it is meant for, aside from ornament.
What Can I Plant Next to Lemongrass?
Growing other plants close to your herbs is an excellent way to improve your herb garden. These plants are referred to as companion plants or herbs.
Companion herbs and plants help increase the fertility of your plant, attract insects that help in pollination, provide shade and support, and repel some pests and diseases.
Companionship in plants is best practiced among plants of close variety and the same growing conditions. For example, herbs are the best companion plants to be grown next to your Lemongrass because they both enjoy full sun and well-drained soil.
Lemongrass is one of the perennial herbs that exhibit good companionship. However, in the case of indoor planting, you have to always keep in mind the fact that it can grow very tall. So you will have to select a companion herb that your lemongrass plant won’t shade.
Next to Lemongrass, you can plant Basil, Thyme, Mint, Lemon Verbena, Echinacea, Marigolds, and Cilantro. They are the best plants in terms of companionship to be planted next to Lemongrass.
Mint and Cilantro are the most prominent of these plants to be planted next to Lemongrass as they have all it takes to be a perfect companion plant to your Lemongrass in terms of the supply of nutrients and soil requirement of the plant.
What Bugs Does Lemongrass Attract?
Lemongrass, unlike other herbs, is not wholly susceptible to pests and diseases. The herb contains citronella, a naturally produced compound that repels insects and pests. So, Lemongrass repels pests rather than attracts them.
Besides Aphids, Lemongrass can be attacked by lemongrass rust which damages the plant’s leaves by leaving it brown or yellow. This fungus is typically caused by damp or moist soil.
Therefore, lemongrass rust must occur if you ignore the moisture content of your soil and have no repellent in tackling it.
Most gardeners usually conclude that Lemongrass repels all forms of pests due to the somewhat unfavorable compound. It is indeed a correct perception when talking about insect pests.
Citronella has a delightful scent to humans, an entirely different and pungent scent to insect pests like mosquitoes and whiteflies.
This same herb, Lemongrass that contains a repellent compound against pests, also has sap in its leaves that attracts Aphids. Thus, this bug is naturally drawn to the sap in Lemongrass, which gives room for Aphid infestation.
Conclusion
Lemongrass doesn’t need much attention once established, but it still has to be protected from winter. Thus, it is advisable to cultivate in pots.
In this way, you can adopt the habit of bringing your perennial plant inside the house during winter. All you need is enough space to occupy your lemongrass plant that grows very tall and fast.
It can be left to grow to any height to provide ornamental interest in your herb garden. But once it has grown up to three (3) to five (5) feet tall, you can begin to harvest your Lemongrass.
It is one of the easiest herbs to grow as it needs little care, and it is an excellent companion plant.
Lemongrass is necessary for your herb garden as it can repel insect pests, making it a versatile plant. However, if you wish to have a steady Lemongrass harvest all year round, you should go for cultivation in pots indoors, as your outdoor plant needs to be harvested before the first frost arrives in fall. It usually doesn’t survive this period of the year.
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