Lemon Grass - Cymbopogon citriodora
100 Seeds
Sow March - April
Tender perennial.
Height 2m (6.5ft), spread 1m (3ft).
Use a mixture of 50% sand and 50% compost as a growing medium. Place in a seed tray. Sow seed at a depth of approximately 0.5cm deep. Cover with a thin layer of compost or vermiculite. Put the seed tray in a sealed plastic bag or wrap it in clear plastic cling film. Store the tray in 21-24°C (70-75°F) but don't exclude from light as this aids germination. It is important that this temperature is kept constant. Gently water or mist daily to keep the seeds moist. Remove the bag or cling film when the seeds sprout. Germination usually takes 21-40 days. Put the tray in full sunlight.
Prick off into trays or pots and grow on in containers so they can be brought inside in cold weather, will not survive below temperatures of 6°C.
Lemongrass is a clumping evergreen with narrow blades ranging blue-green to gold, edges are sharp, tiny flowers on stalks which are white, cream, or green.
Lemon Grass
Also known as Citronella grass.
From the family Poaceae.
A native of Asia, Africa and Australia. The name cymbopogon derives from the Greek words kymbe meaning 'boat' and pogon meaning 'beard', which means in most species, the hairy spikelets project from boat-shaped spathes. Lemongrass oil imitates the pheromone emitted by a honeybee's gland to attract bees to a hive or to a swarm.