How to grow LEMON GRASS in Uganda

Lemon grass is a perennial herb with a light lemon scent and flavor.

Native to India, lemon grass is a common ingredient in Southeast Asian cuisine.

This grass has a rich flavor of lemon citrus is used to brew tea as well as a herb for seasoning.

Lemon grass essential oil is used in aromatherapy, cosmetics, and on natural insectcides.

Common Lemon grass varieties in Africa

There two kinds of lemon grass, the East Indian and West Indian types.

These also relate to the local type of lemon grass found on the African continent.

Contact the Uganda agribusiness guide to buy fresh or dry lemon grass cuttings in Africa.

Soil requirement for Lemon grass

Lemon grass prefers humid growing conditions; with nitrogen-rich soil that has a pH of 5.5-7.5.

The soils should be well drained and rich with organic matter.

Lemon grass grows best in areas with adequate rainfall of 24-30cubic cm per year, therefore, frequent watering is essential in drier areas.

How to propagate Lemon grass

Seeds are NOT really used, the common propagation material used are the stalk cuttings.

You can get a stalk from a fresh lemon grass; this should be firm and green.

Snip off an inch or two strands from the end and put the base end in water so as to get them to root.

Keep the strands exposed to sun rays.

Roots will start sprouting from the bottom of the stalk in a week or two, then you can transplant to a pot or ground.


Contact the Uganda agribusiness guide to buy fresh or dry lemon grass cuttings in Africa.

How to plant lemon grass in Uganda

On new parcel of land clear shrubs to create space for planting.

Depending on the number of stalks to be planted, open up holes for the plants, mix some compost or well aged manure to enrich the soil.

Transfer the rooted stalks to the field or even in to the pots. Cover the plant firmly with loose soil and water to supply moisture.

Fertilizer application: lemon grass will need a lot of nitrogen if convenient you can fertilize at least once a month with a nitrogen formula.


Contact the Uganda agribusiness guide to buy fresh or dry lemon grass cuttings in Africa.

How to harvest and store Lemon grass in Africa

You can trim leaves from the plant any time once the plant is at least a foot tall.

To harvest the entire stalk, use a sharp knife to slice each one off at the soil level.

Try not to just break them off or you could damage the rest of the plant.

For storage, you may have to peel off the tougher outer leaves before use or storage.

Store the entire plant with roots in the fridge to keep it fresh for several days. However for longer storage of the leaves, keep when dried rather than frozen.

Contact the Uganda agribusiness guide to buy fresh or dry lemon grass cuttings in Africa.

Quick Tips for growing Lemon grass in Uganda

• On a well prepared land, open up shallow holes of about 5cm deep for planting.


• Alternatively you can plant in the pot; here you mix earth soil with compost to create a growth medium.


• On the ground, mix up soil with aged manure to enrich the soil


• Transfer the rooted stalks to the field or the pot.


• Cover firmly with the soil and manure mixture


• Water, then mulch to conserve the moisture. This facilitates faster root development.

Contact the Uganda agribusiness guide to buy fresh or dry lemon grass cuttings in Africa.

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