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Edible Garden Ingredients Kitchen

How to grow and propagate lemongrass, and how to use it for cooking

Published: 03.16.2022 » Last updated: 02.04.2023

There are several kinds of lemongrass and they do look very similar to each other. But only Cymbopogon citratus (and Cymbopogon flexuosus to a lesser extent) is used as food.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass has a citrusy aroma very similar to that of lemon and, hence, the name. The fragrant smell of lemongrass also makes it popular for making essential oils. Additionally, it has a long history in herbal medicine. But since this is a food blog, we’ll just focus on its use as food.

So, the name of this plant consists of two words and the “lemon” part has been covered.

Lemongrass growing in home garden

Why it is referred to as a “grass” should be sufficiently explained by the photo above. Lemongrass grows like a tall grass with long thin leaves called spathes. These spathes are covered with hairy spikelets which can cause skin irritation.

Which portion of the lemongrass is used as food?

Let’s make a distinction here about which portion of the lemongrass is edible and which is used in cooking.

Pomelo and herbs on plate
Lemongrass sliced into rings at the bottom of the photo

Only the lower portion of the lemongrass stalk is edible. The spathes are cut off and discarded leaving only the light colored portion of the stalk. The outer layers are peeled off to reveal the smoother interior which is then cut according to what a dish requires. The stalk can be thinly sliced and sauteed or it can be pounded into a paste as part of the spice base of a dish.

Shrimp tom yum

However, in a cooking class in Chiang Mai, we learned that although the spathes of the lemongrass are not edible, they can still be added to broths and stews. Like the lower portion of the stalks, the spathes also have a lot of flavor in them.

Take a stalk or two of lemongrass, tie into a knot and tuck in loose ends. Add to soups and stews. You may optionally discard it before serving the dish so no one accidentally attempts to try and chew them.

Wrapping shrimp and sice paste around a lemongrass stalk

Another way to use lemongrass is to treat it as a skewer. Lightly pound the lower portion of the stalk then wrap minced meat or seafood around it. During cooking, the lemongrass releases its juices into the protein to impart a citrusy flavor and aroma.

Growing lemongrass at home

So, you see… Lemongrass has so many uses. And it is so easy to grow at home. We’ve been growing lemongrass for over a decade. If you want to try growing this lovely herb, here’s how.

If your store-bought lemongrass has no roots

Cut off the tops of the leaving only about six inches of the lower portion of the stalks. Soak the trimmed stalks in a jar of water so that the lower half is submerged. Keep the jar where it gets plenty of sunlight and wait for a few days for roots to grow.

If the lemongrass you bought has roots

Propagating replanted lemongrass

Simply cut off the top portion of the stalks and plant directly on soil.

Re-planting lemongrass

Plant directly on well-draining soil in a part of the garden that gets plenty of sunshine. Water once a day.

If you’re have several stalks, plant them at least six inches apart. Lemongrass is a grass. The replanted lemongrass will grow the way grass grows. Horizontally and vertically. The dark green portion of the stalks will regrow and new stalks will sprout around the original plant.

Cooking with lemongrass

Below are links to recipes that include lemongrass among the ingredients.

Thai hot and sour soup (tom saap)

Thai hot and sour soup (tom saap)

Thai-style pomelo and lemongrass salad with tilapia

Pomelo and lemongrass salad

Air fried shrimp lemongrass skewers

Air fried shrimp lemongrass skewers

Thai-style dry curry garnished with chili slices and kaffir lime leaves

Thai-style dry beef curry

Homecooked beef pho

Beef pho: the secret is in the broth

Pork rendang over rice

Pork rendang

More Edible Garden, Ingredients, Kitchen

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Connie Veneracion, Chiang Mai, 2020

Hi, I’m Connie!

Welcome to Umami Days, a blog that advocates innovative home cooking for pleasurable everyday dining. No trendy diets, no food fads and definitely no ludicrous recipe names like crustless quiche, noodleless pho or chocolate lasagna.

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