What is lemongrass and how do you care?

The lemongrass It is a herbaceous plant that, in addition to being very ornamental, is very easily cared for, so much so that it is suitable for beginners. If you don’t believe me, follow the advice that we are going to offer you in this article and you will see how you can have an idyllic garden.

And is that this plant it’s very, very interesting. I assure.

Origin and characteristics

Our protagonist is a herbaceous plant native to the warm and tropical regions of Asia that belongs to the genus Cymbopogon and which is known as lemongrass, lemongrass, lemongrass, lemon verbena grass or lemon tea. It is made up of linear dark green leaves with a lemon scent when crushed. The flowers are grouped in inflorescences formed by two short and very dense racemes. The fruit is a caryopsis, that is, a type of simple ruto that developed from a single carpel, dry and indehiscent.

It can reach a height of up to 2m and it has a fairly fast growth rate, so that even if a young specimen is bought, we can be sure that in a year or two we will get its beauty multiplied by two.

How do you take care of yourself?

Lemongrass care is as follows:

• Location: outdoors, in full sun or in semi-shade.
• Earth: it is indifferent, but it grows better in soils that have good drainage.
• Irrigation: 3-4 times a week in summer and a little less the rest of the year.
• Subscriber: it is not necessary, but it is advisable to fertilize in spring and summer with organic fertilizers such as guano.
• Planting time: in spring.
• Rusticity: resists cold and frost down to -4ºC.

What uses does it have?

• Ornamental: it is widely used in gardens, either as an isolated specimen or in groups. It is common in drought-resistant grass lawns.
• Culinary: with the leaves they are taken in tea infusions, in soups and curries, and also in fish and shellfish.
• Medicinal: it is used mainly to relieve headaches and migraines, but it also regulates mood, appetite, sleep and muscle contraction.

How is it taken?

To take advantage of its benefits we have to mix 10 grams of dry lemongrass, 7,5 grams of honey – if possible organic -, and 200ml of water in a saucepan. We bring it to a boil and, when it has finally reached the boiling point, we put it on a low heat for about 10 minutes.

Afterwards, it will only be a matter of letting it cool a bit and drinking it .

What did you think of lemongrass?