Welcome to Pro-Organic
Belize
Tropical Garden Grow
Guide
Where you are the student and the teacher.
| Botanic Name |
Cymbopogan citratus |
| Plant Type |
subtropical perennial |
| Sun |
Prefers full sun, but will grow in a semi-shaded location. |
| pH |
6-8 neutral |
| Soil Preference |
Well drained loamy
soil. Lemongrass
tolerates clay and sandy soils, does not like soggy
wet soil. |
Plant of the month
December 2022
Lemongrass
by Mary
Loan
Lemongrass is a popular ornamental
grass with a pleasant lemony aroma that has culinary and
medicinal properties.
Citronella oil is extracted from lemongrass. In
Belize it is better known as fever grass and can be found
growing in many gardens in Belize.
How to grow: Dig into the side of an established
clump of lemongrass.
Cut out a small amount of lemongrass with its
bulbous root intact. Trim each clump leaving about 3-4
inches of growth and plant each clump you harvest directly
in soil. Be
sure to water often during the dry season. Some gardeners
recommend planting clumps in the corners of your garden to
help prevent insects. A 2-3 inch clump of grass bulbs will
grow to be about 3-4 feet across and approximately 2-3
feet in height in about one years time. Over the years
the plant will spread and can grow to be up to 6 feet
across and about half as as tall. Often a good
pruning will encourage fresh growth.
Disease and insect control: Lemongrass
is seldom bothered by insects or disease due to its
strongly scented and sharp edged blades.
To harvest with scissors or a sharp
knife, cut a clump of lemongrass down to the root. Rinse
and chop into 2-3 inch pieces to brew into tea. A handful
steeped in about 2-3 cups of boiled water makes a nice tea
served hot or cold.
Health benefits: Lemongrass and
lemongrass oil are considered to be antioxidant,
antifungal, antiobiotic, fever reducing and
anti-inflammatory. Lemongrass contains vitamin A.
Lemongrass oil is used as a non-toxic insect repellent,
but must be applied frequently.
Bee keepers use lemon grass to attract
bees. The
scent is used as a soap ingredient, to make incense and
hair and skin products.
Recipe: To add a gentle lemon
flavor to soups, vegetable, noodle and rice dishes, add a few bulbs while
the dish is cooking and remove before serving as the bulbs
can be fibrous.
If you are interested in the art of
extracting lemongrass oil as a commercial venture, please
watch a presentation by Dr. Mathew, owner of the Belize
Spice Farm.
Dr. Mathew - Belize
Spice Farm