What to Plant With Lemongrass

There are many benefits to adding lemongrass to your garden, but before you do, you may wonder what other plants go well with this refreshing greenery.

There are plenty of excellent companions for your lemongrass, whether your interests are aesthetic or you’re adding some new flavors to your meals.

Creating a Garden With Lemongrass

• Lemongrass is not only a beautiful addition to your home, but it’s also beneficial. For generations, people have been using lemon grass to bring flavor to their recipes and help heal common ailments.
• Its incredible fragrance is an excellent pest repellent, but it is one of the most popular essential oils used in aromatherapy for humans.
• To get the most out of your garden, you should know which vegetation complements the other plants around it. Doing this will encourage your garden to thrive, and you can harvest the produce that’s most important to you.

Keep reading to find out which plants go well with lemongrass.

Basil

• Basil is a great companion for lemongrass because it’s easy to grow and, like lemongrass, needs ample sunlight to flourish.
• Regarding consumption, basil is a fresh, peppery herb with a slightly minty smell. It goes excellent alongside lemongrass in many different dishes. Plus, it has many health benefits like anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

Mint

• Mint isn’t just the flavor of your toothpaste. It’s an herb, and it does well planted near lemongrass.
• Its iconic taste has been enchanting people worldwide for centuries, and its myriad health benefits are nothing to scoff at. With lemongrass, mint makes a refreshing, potent tea great for indigestion.

Cilantro

• This popular herb is commonly used in cooking and goes well in dishes with lemongrass. Its fresh citrus notes give lemongrass a powerful kick.
• These two flavors pair together so well that dipping sauces, spreads, and cocktails get a boost from their invigorating taste. Like lemongrass, it also needs plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil.

Also, read: Is Lemongrass a Perennial?

Echinacea

• You may have seen echinacea when perusing the pharmacy since this flowering herb is well known for its cold-fighting and soothing features.
• Aesthetically, echinacea produces gorgeous purple flowers that bloom from mid to late summer. So whether or not you wish to reap the many medicinal benefits of this plant, you can rest assured it will look fantastic planted next to bright green lemongrass.

Marigold

• Marigold is a gorgeous flowering plant that looks beautiful next to lemongrass, and its eye-catching colors are more than just decoration.
• These incredible flowers are also highly desirable to bees and ladybugs while being a deterrent to destructive aphids. They are hard-wearing, tolerant of heat and sun, and known for being easy, first-time gardener plants.

Thyme

• Thyme is a powerful Mediterranean herb that will make another useful addition to your cupboards.
• This potent plant is known to aid several ailments, including gastrointestinal distress and sore throat. It’s easy to add to your diet, whether you want to use it as an essential oil or sprinkle some over your roasted potatoes. You can even find it in soap and shampoos.

Check: How to Grow Lemongrass From Stalk

Limes

• Depending on your climate, you might be interested in growing limes alongside your lemongrass.
• Lemon and lime have been friends for generations, so it makes sense to include this citrus in your garden if you reside in an area that stays warm enough year-round. Together, they can bring bright, robust flavor to all of your favorite recipes.

Ginger

• Ginger is a root vegetable with an intensely sweet and spicy flavor. It has various health benefits, and many people love its unique taste.
• Ginger tea, candies, and sodas have become a staple in households worldwide thanks to their incredible anti-nausea effects. Like lemongrass, it appreciates fertile, well-drained soil. The lemongrass can also help protect ginger from too much direct sunlight.

Spinach

• Spinach is a leafy green superfood that has taken the world by storm in recent generations. Thanks to its tremendous health benefits, spinach has become one of the most convenient sources of the vitamins and minerals we need daily.
• Planting it with lemongrass can help protect this tender green. It isn’t just a good food source for people; insects also love it. In addition, the natural pest repellent in lemongrass can help keep it in shape while growing.

Cucumbers

• The cucumber is a ground plant related to squash. Its creeping vines spread across the ground and produce long, green, sturdy fruits that go great on salads and sandwiches.
• Its high water content and abundance of vitamin K make it one of the best foods for your skin. Planting lemongrass nearby can keep it safe from the many pests that also love to indulge in the easy-to-reach plant.

Lemon Verbena

• This lemony plant is very similar to lemongrass in smell and usage. You can also use it as a replacement in most recipes.
• However, a few differences set these plants apart, so you might find it beneficial to have both in your garden. Whereas the lemony scent of the lemongrass is forefront and intense, the verbena is more floral. It also produces small white flowers, which some gardeners might prefer.

How To Determine Which Companion Plants You Need

To figure out what will grow well with your lemongrass, it’s wise to narrow down a few facts. Water requirements, soil pH balance, and climate will all affect your decision. Do some research on the topics below.

• What type of soil do the companion plants need?
• What is the climate in your area? Will it support the companion plants?
• How much water will the companion plants need?
• Will it do well with plenty of sunshine?
• What kind of pests are common in your garden?

These questions can help you determine the best companions for your lemongrass.

How to Plant Lemongrass in Pots

• You can plant it in the ground, but if other plants’ watering, light, or soil requirements differ, you might consider putting it in a container.
• You might also choose to plant in a container for aesthetic purposes. Container planting also makes it easy to bring lemongrass indoors when it gets cold.
• Whatever your reason for using a container, there are a few options for how to plant lemon grass. Before you begin, keep in mind that lemongrass needs a lot of sunshine and tends to spread out. Generally, it will need to be in a container by itself.
• To grow lemongrass in a container, choose one that is at least 14 inches in diameter, which will help ensure that the roots have plenty of space to create a wide, sturdy base for this top-heavy plant. Don’t forget to make sure the container has drainage holes.
• Fill the container with a soil mix explicitly created for potted plants. For best results, plant one stock or seedling per container. Place it in a sunny area in your home or garden and water it when the top inch of soil becomes dry.
• Try placing the pots near seating areas to give your home an inviting aroma. Or, position them near doorways to keep pests like mosquitos out of the house. Guests will have no idea that your beautiful ornaments are so functional.

Where to Plant Lemongrass in Your Garden

• If you prefer to plant your lemongrass directly in your garden, this isn’t difficult to accomplish. It makes an excellent, unfussy piece of foliage for your yard as long as the correct placement.
• Start by choosing a sunny spot where water will drain easily. Planting beneath tall bushes or trees can restrict sunlight and take up space your lemongrass needs to spread out. Plant seeds about a month before the last frost. Plant stalks once the risk of freezing has passed.
• If you want to use your lemongrass for decorative purposes, it looks excellent among low flower beds and bushes, adding a vertical element to your landscape.
• Keep in mind that lemongrass is toxic to dogs and other pets. So if you have curious four-legged friends, it’s best to plant them out of reach.

Tips For Using Lemongrass in Recipes

Lemongrass is a helpful ingredient in many recipes, not just recipes for your favorite dishes. It’s also commonly found in soaps, essential oil blends, medicines, and tea. Here are a few favorite uses people have found for their lemongrass

• Lemongrass and ginger tea is the perfect cold buster and makes a soothing drink on a chilly day. Make this tea to help support the immune system and ease nausea. Many people prefer to add a spoonful of honey to the mixture.
• Lemongrass is commonly used in Asian dishes thanks to its bright aroma and citrus flavor. Try adding it to your chicken or soup to give your dinner some extra kick.
• Lavender and lemongrass soap is perfect for washing stress away and giving your skin a squeaky clean finish.
• Lemongrass makes a potent essential oil on its own, but it’s also highly effective in blends. Combine it with peppermint and lavender for easy headache relief.
• If you want to bring the enticing aroma of lemongrass indoors but leave the plant outside, try making a lemongrass candle with essential oils. Combined with verbena, your home will smell like a tropical getaway year-round.

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Conclusion

Lemongrass is an easy addition to your landscape and could be essential to keeping your garden healthy. Try adding it to your landscape. You might be surprised at what new uses you find for it every year.