Last updated on September 26th, 2022 at 09:02 am
A very important aspect of gardening is the longevity of the plants you grow. If you rear more herbs than crops, there is a tendency that you’ll prefer crops that have longer life cycles than average.
And if you would like to grow Lemongrass, you may bear this exact factor in mind.
So, is Lemon grass an annual or perennial? Lemongrass is a tender growing perennial plant that strives well under mild climatic exposures but can sometimes grow as an annual plant due to its sensitivity to extreme climatic conditions.
Is Lemongrass An Annual Herb?
Lemongrass is usually not an annual herb because it takes more than one growing season to complete its life cycle and mature properly.
The first year usually establishes itself as a plant and subsequent years for proper development and propagation.
However, certain factors can force the Lemongrass plant to grow as an annual plant. These factors include the following:
1. Climate:
Extreme and frosty climates can shorten the life cycle of Lemongrass. Lemongrass is generally frost tender and cannot survive winter in cold climates.
Too cold temperatures are considered unfriendly to the growth and survival of Lemongrass. The survival of the Lemongrass plant is dependent on its tolerance and intolerance to cold temperatures.
Cold temperatures usually lead to the drying out of the foliage as well as causing the topsoil structure to die. Freezing prevents proper aeration of the soil, which leads to the death of the plant before the completion of its cycle.
However, in some cases, the plant’s roots don’t die, they stay until there is a warmer and more warm temperature which will aid the plant to spring up again.
In addition, frosty areas are also unhealthy to the plant as it makes the Lemongrass complete its cycle and die back before the actual growing period.
2. Choice of the Gardener:
Certain actions taken by the gardener or cultivator of Lemongrass can cause the plant to grow as an annual plant.
Gardeners that grow the plant for ornamental purposes usually renew the look of the plant by replanting keeping it leafy, green, and healthy.
It is further important to note that annual plants often complete their life cycle within a year or a single growing season and notably start from seeds either produced by the previous generation or sown directly by the gardener.
Is Lemongrass A Perennial Herb Plant?
Lemongrass is a perennial plant because it takes more than a year to complete its life cycle.
As earlier stated, its first year is used for establishing it as a plant, after which it continues growing from year to year under suitable weather conditions.
Lemongrass strives well in mild winter areas and also in places with sunlight. It requires sunlight, a moist environment, and properly drained soil for its survival and continuity.
The mild climatic condition often seems favorable to the growth, development, and survival of Lemongrass, and this is because it is a tender perennial plant and requires a lot of care.
The Lemongrass plant may live up to a hundred days in unsuitable climates.
Others can take a range of about four to eight months, but all of these depend on the prevailing temperature of the area where the Lemongrass plant is cultivated.
How Fast Does Lemongrass Grow?
How fast Lemongrass grows depends on the location of the garden where the plant is being grown. It typically takes eight weeks for the plant to grow to a reasonable height.
Lemongrass cultivated in relatively dry areas tends to grow faster and quicker than those grown in excessively damp environments.
It is important to note that unsuitable conditions are not ideal if you desire the best for your Lemongrass plant.
It could result in the quick death of the plant and reduce the flavor quality of the plant.
The best planting climate for Lemongrass is a warm or moderately cold climate. Planting at the right time helps the plant grow healthy and allows for the completion of its life cycle as a perennial plant.
What Determines The Growth Of Lemongrass?
Lemongrass grows to different extents. First of all, before planting the Lemongrass in your garden, it would be best to know how fast the plant grows and the factors that influence its growth.
The rate at which it grows depends on some determining factors you must put in place if you desire to see your Lemongrass plant grow so healthy.
There are ways you can influence the rate at which it grows, extend the life span of the plant as well as harvest it at times that are beneficial to your needs.
These methods work because the Lemongrass plant is one of the easiest herbs to work with regarding gardening.
To achieve a healthy yield of Lemongrass, it would be best to consider providing the following:
1. An adequate supply of sunlight and water:
A balanced climate is optimum for the proper growth of Lemongrass. This includes irrigation when soil is extremely hot and dry and exposure to the sun in times of severe coldness.
Providing the plant with these resources helps it focus more on growing and yielding adequately than searching for resources to ensure its survival.
2. Presence of well-draining soil:
Soil that drains quickly and doesn’t hold water for a very long time is ideal for the growth of Lemongrass. So, you must ensure that the soil doesn’t have any form of hindrance or blockage.
It would be best to avoid clayey soil when growing Lemongrass as it holds water to a large extent.
3. Availability of good nutrients:
Necessary natural soil nutrients must be available for use by the Lemongrass plant.
Adding a considerable amount of manure before or after planting the Lemongrass can be considered.
4. Soil with a proper pH:
The pH of the soil required for proper Lemongrass growth is between 5.0 and 8.0. pH lower or higher than this can be detrimental to the proper growth of Lemongrass.
5. Fertilizer application:
Sometimes, the soil can be leached of nutrients. It may be difficult for Lemongrass to thrive under such situations.
Therefore, it would be best to apply fertilizers then. Not only will fertilizer boost your plant’s growth, but it will also restore some nutrients to the soil.
Conclusion
The Lemongrass plant is a tender perennial plant that thrives well in a humid climate.
In times of cold and frosty atmospheric and environmental conditions, it is often forced to behave as an annual plant where it completes its lifecycle in one growing season in a year.
Lemongrass can either grow as an annual or perennial plant, all dependent on the prevailing climate of that location.
Another determining factor in this is the action of the gardener. It would be best to provide the proper conditions for your plant’s growth if you want it to last as a perennial.
These conditions include adequate exposure to sunlight, proper watering, nutrient-dense, well-drained soil, and fertilizing if needed.