The Benefits of Growing Lemongrass Indoors (Indoor Lemongrass Plant)

Join this article to tell you about the benefits of growing lemongrass indoors and show you how to grow it step by step.

If you love Lemongrass for its fragrant aroma and citrusy flavor, keep reading to find other benefits from its antioxidant activities to its insect-repellent ability. If you think you must live in a tropical region to take advantage of this versatile herb, keep reading to not only provide a step-by-step guide for cultivating this aromatic herb in your own home but also show you the benefits of growing lemongrass indoors (pots) from various culinary dishes to herbal remedies. Let’s start.

➡ You can also hear the audio version of this article.

Identifying Lemongrass

Before diving into the benefits of indoor planting of lemongrass, let to introduce it. Identifying this plant correctly is crucial for successful cultivation. Lemongrass (scientific name: Cymbopogon citratus), however, looks like other grass but has distinctive characteristics too.

Let’s start with its leaves. As you can see in the image, they are long, slender, and grass-like. The leaves are green and have a coarse texture. The plant can grow up to three to five feet in height.

But how to distinguish it from other grass? It is very easy; you must get help from your nose. You can easily distinguish it from other grasses by its strong lemony fragrance when you crush the leaves.

Benefits of Growing Lemongrass Indoors: Plant and Enjoy

Before showing you how to grow lemongrass indoors, let me tell you about the advantages of planting this tasty versatile grass. After reading this part, you never waste time and will start growing lemongrass in a pot.

1. Fresh Lemongrass at Your Fingertips

If you love to add new tastes to your traditional foods, lemongrass can be an ideal indoor plant in your kitchen. By growing lemongrass indoors, you will have a constant supply of its fresh leaves and stalks. It lets you do your culinary experiments.

I love indoor gardens; I can simply snip off what I need from them. Are you a fan of indoor gardens? Why wait, add lemongrass to it (I will show you how to do it in the following).

2. A natural Aromatic Ambiance in Your Living Space

Lemongrass is renowned for its pleasant scent. It means that one of the benefits of growing lemongrass indoors is having a natural air freshener. It will fill your home with the refreshing citrus aroma of your lemongrass pot which will decrease stress and create a soothing atmosphere in your living space.

3. Experience Culinary Delights With Fresh Leaves of Lemongrass

Lemongrass is a staple ingredient in many Asian foods that adds a unique taste to soups, curries, and stir-fries. So, one of the benefits of growing lemongrass indoors is enhancing the flavor and aroma of foods by adding freshly harvested lemongrass to your dishes.

4. Fresh Food for Your Bonny Friends

Lemongrass is one of the best indoor grasses for rabbits. If you have rabbits, by growing lemongrass indoors, you can provide a fresh and nourishing diet for your furry friend.

5. Medicinal Properties in Traditional Cultures

In addition to the favorite taste and fragrance of lemongrass, this magic indoor grass is rich in essential oils and antioxidants, making it a valuable herb in traditional medicine. For example, Traditional Asian medicine believes that has the potential to relieve digestive issues, reduce anxiety, and even act as an insect repellent.

Please note that before using lemongrass as a medicine you have to consult with a doctor.

Benefits of growing Lemongrass in the Bedroom

In this part, I want to discuss the benefits of growing lemongrass in bedrooms. I love the greenery bedrooms and like to add houseplants to my own. You must know some plants have characteristics that make them more deserving of being in your bedroom. Lemongrass is one of them. in the following, you will find some of my reasons for choosing this charming grass for my bedroom.

1. A Natural Sleep Aid

Placing a potted lemongrass plant in your bedroom can improve sleep quality. The calming scent of lemongrass can help reduce stress and anxiety, promoting a more restful night’s sleep.

2. Air Purification plant

Lemongrass acts as a natural air purifier, removing pollutants and allergens from the air. Breathing cleaner air can lead to better sleep and overall well-being.

In the following video, you can find more benefits of lemongrass.

Growing Lemongrass in Pots: A Step-by-Step Guide

After you find out the benefits of growing lemongrass indoors, let’s get going to show you how to grow this magic plant step by step.  Don’t worry if you don’t live in a tropical region with a humid and warm climate, I will help you to grow lemongrass indoors in a pot.

1. Choose a Suitable Container

Select a large pot with good drainage to accommodate the growing lemongrass. Ensure it has enough space for the plant to expand. Please note that lemongrass is not a suitable plant for planting in pots without drainage holes.

2. Use Well-Draining Soil

Lemongrass thrives in well-draining soil. A mix of potting soil and sand works well to ensure proper drainage. You also can add some soil enhancers such as perlite or cockpits.

3. Planting Lemongrass

Plant lemongrass seeds in the soil, leaving a few inches of space between each. Water thoroughly after planting. Read “How fast does lemongrass grow”.

4. Sunlight and Watering

Place the pot in a sunny location, as lemongrass requires plenty of sunlight. Water consistently, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Read “How often to water lemongrass in pots”.

5. Pruning and Harvesting

Regularly prune the plant to encourage new growth. Harvest leaves and stalks as needed for culinary and medicinal purposes.

6. Indoor Care

Lemongrass is sensitive to cold temperatures. Ensure your indoor space remains above 50°F (10°C) during colder months. Slugs, snails, aphids, and spider mites are the most important pests of lemongrass. This plant is more sensitive to them when you put it in shade for a long time. To get rid of these tiny bugs in your indoor plant, you must detect them early.

Can Lemongrass Grow in Water?

While lemongrass primarily thrives in soil, you can also propagate it in water. In this part, I will show you how to do it.

• You must first select the healthy stalks and place them in a jar of water
• You must wait until you ensure that the roots are submerged.
• To prevent root rot, change the water regularly and provide adequate sunlight

Please note that for long-term growth, you have to transfer the lemongrass to soil is recommended.

Conclusion

In this article, I provided you with the benefits of growing lemongrass indoors, from easy access to fresh herbs for cooking to creating a soothing atmosphere in your home. In addition, I gave you a guideline that help you to grow this aromatic herb indoors and add a touch of nature to your indoor space.

Have you ever used lemongrass? What is your favorite recipe to add this tasty grass to your food? Can you raise our list with more benefits of lemongrass? Please share your ideas with us below this page.