Discover the many uses of lemongrass — from Thai cooking and herbal tea to natural mosquito repellent and skincare. Learn how citral, the key compound in lemongrass, makes it so remarkably versatile.
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a plant most American gardeners assume belongs only to tropical gardens in USDA zones 10 and 11. The reality is more accessible: given a bright south-facing window, a well-draining pot, and a few weeks of patience rooting supermarket stalks, you can harvest fragrant, culinary-grade lemongrass from your kitchen counter twelve months a year — regardless of …
TL;DR: The 5-Step Cheat Sheet Select Smart: Buy a firm, healthy lemongrass stalk. The most important part is the hard, flat disc at the bottom (the basal plate). If it’s missing or damaged, the stalk will not grow roots. Prep the Stalk: Cut the leafy top off, leaving a 4–5 inch stalk. If the bottom looks dry, slice a tiny …