Lemongrass Then and Now

Use the slider handle to see then and now

Early last spring I came across the remnants of a long forgotten clump of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) clinging to life in one of the herb gardens. The grass blades were all dead, but there was the tiniest bit of green just above the soil, so I dug it out and moved it to what would be come my new tropical garden later that spring.

It didn’t do much for the first few months, but after steady watering and sun it started to come back to life. By June there were a handful of fresh green blades. By August is was a grassy beast, so I cut it back, which seemed to just encourage it more. Now at the end of October, it’s returned to it’s grassy beast stage adding its color, texture and scent to the lush ginger, plumeria, guava and purple lantana at the north end of the tropical garden.