Lemongrass

Scientific Name: Cymbopogon citratus

Family Name: Poaceae

Herb Info: It is a perennial plant. It is propagated by dividing individual shoots. It can grow to about 60cm to 1.2m in height.

Full Sun: 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.

Moderate watering: Water on average 2 times each week. Keep the soil moist.  

Parts Used: Swollen basal leaves are used

Uses: In Southeast Asian cooking, it is used to impart its characteristic flavour and aroma. It is also used as a condiment. The leaves of lemongrass can be used to make tea and jelly.

It has a citrus taste like lemon but it does not taste bitter like lemon. The flavour of Lemongrass does not overpower the other flavours of herbs on this list.

Lemongrass grows very fast. To harvest them, grab a stalk and pull it from the ground. The white base is what is normally used in cooking.

Lemongrass is best grown in full sun and humid conditions. If the leaves seem to be drying out, aside from watering the plant, consider moving the pot into a shaded area and mist the plant to increase the relative humidity of the immediate surrounding.

Lemongrass can last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.