Why Are My Lemongrass Leaves Wilting? [How to Care]

Has your lemongrass plant been looking a bit sad lately? Don’t worry; this is a problem that many gardeners face. Depending on what zone you live in, you may be better suited for growing different plants and using different planting methods.

Causes for Wilted Lemongrass Leaves

There are many causes for wilted lemongrass leaves. Poor watering practices, extreme temperatures, and pests or diseases can all cause lemongrass leaves to wilt.

Also Read: Why Is My Lemongrass Plant Dying? [11 Reasons & How to Prevent]

Watering Your Lemongrass Plant

• Lemongrass plants can be a little fussy when it comes to water. Providing sufficient water for your plant may take some time.
• They don’t like to be over-watered, but they also don’t like to be under-watered.
• If the Lemongrass is not getting enough water, the leaves will start to droop and wilt.
• Lemongrass should be given water when the top inch of soil is dry. Frequent watering will cause the roots to rot and die.
• Lemongrass plants usually should be watered at least once a week. If you live in a hot, humid climate, you may need to water your Lemongrass more often.
• If the plant is being grown in a container, check it has good drainage to prevent the roots from sitting in water.

Learn: How to Make Lemon Grass Mosquito Repellent [Some Useful Tips]

Temperature

• Lemongrass is a tropical plant that thrives in warm, humid conditions.
• However, it can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but it should not be exposed to extremes either way.

Heat

• In hot weather, keep the plant in a shady spot and water it regularly.
• Lemongrass is known to grow well in zones 9 and 10, including parts of Florida, California, Louisiana, and Texas.
• However, when the temperature rises above 85 degrees, the plant may start to experience heat stress.
• The leaves will start to curl up and turn yellow as the plant struggles to keep up with photosynthesis.
• The stalks of the plant will also start to droop, and eventually, the entire plant will die.
• If you’re trying to keep your plant alive during a heat wave, you can try moving it into the shade or watering it more often.
• You can also put a fan next to it to help circulate air and keep it cool.

Check: Why Is My Lemongrass Leaves Turning Yellow?

Cold

• While it can tolerate temperature variation, prolonged exposure to cold weather can damage the plant.
• Lemongrass is sensitive to frost and may start to die back if the temperature dips below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Lemongrass is not known to survive or thrive in any zone less than 8, as the winters are too harsh. These areas include Missouri, Colorado, Ohio, etc.
• The leaves will turn brown and drop off, and the plant may stop growing altogether.
• If your lemongrass plant is exposed to cold weather, bring it indoors or cover it with a frost blanket to protect it from the elements. You may not need to water it as often.
• With proper care, your lemongrass plant should recover from the cold and resume normal growth.

Check: How Do You Make Lemongrass Grow Tall?

Pests

• Pests such as aphids and spider mites can cause lemongrass leaves to wilt. They can carry diseases that may harm your plant.
• These diseases can weaken the plant and make it more susceptible to pests and other problems.
• In addition, pests can damage your plant’s leaves, which may prevent the plant from photosynthesizing properly.
• This problem can lead to a decrease in the amount of food the plant produces and may eventually kill the plant.
• Therefore, controlling pests on your lemongrass plant is essential to prevent these problems.

Also Check: Is Lemongrass Safe for Dogs? Can Dogs Eat Lemongrass?

Soil Conditions

• Learning to grow lemongrass is an easy process when you have all the necessary information.
• Lemongrass thrives in soils that are high in organic matter and well-drained. The ideal pH range for lemongrass is between 6.0 and 7.0.
• Sandy loam soils are generally best for lemongrass, as they provide good drainage while still holding enough moisture and nutrients.
• If your soil is heavy clay, you may need to add some organic matter to improve drainage.
• You can also improve drainage by planting lemongrass in raised beds.
• Whatever type of soil you have, make sure it is loose and not compacted, as this can impede root growth.

Fertilizing

• Lemongrass is relatively easy to care for, but you do need to fertilize it regularly.
• The best time to fertilize lemongrass is in the spring. Use a balanced fertilizer high in nitrogen.
• Apply the fertilizer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure to water the plant thoroughly after applying fertilizer.
• Over-fertilizing lemongrass can damage the plant, so it is vital to follow the directions carefully.

Read: Is Lemongrass a Perennial?

Weeds

• Weeds aren’t just unsightly; they can also be bad for your lemongrass plant.
• Weeds can compete with lemongrass for water and nutrients and provide a home for pests and diseases.
• In addition, weeds can reduce air circulation around the lemongrass plant, making it more susceptible to fungal infections.
• Therefore, it’s important to remove weeds from around your lemongrass plant to ensure its health and vigor.

The Symptoms of Lemongrass Dying

• Several early stages will indicate when the lemongrass plant is beginning to die.
• The first stage is when the leaves start to turn yellow, often followed by brown or black spots on the leaves. The leaves will eventually turn dry and brittle as the plant starts to die.
• The stem of the plant may also begin to discolor, and the plant may produce fewer and smaller leaves. Ultimately, the entire plant will turn brown and may collapse.
• If you notice these signs, take action quickly to save your lemongrass plant. Use the tips above to discover why your lemongrass plant may be wilting and dying.
• When the months are hot, give your plant some more water. When it gets too cold out, cover the plant with a blanket.

Also check: How to Grow Lemongrass From Stalk

Treating Wilting or Dying Lemongrass Leaves

Depending on what you need to treat, your options will differ. These are some things you can do:

• Be aware of the temperature outside and ensure your plant has a sufficient water supply.
• Check the soil conditions to make sure they are adequate. If not, take steps to improve them, like adding more fertilizer to boost the nutrients given to the plant.
• Be on the lookout for pests or diseases, as these can also damage the plant. You can buy different products in the store to help your plant thrive.
• Frequently check for weeds around your plant to ensure it gets enough air and nutrients.

Read: Why Is My Lemongrass Turning Red? [How to Save]

Why Are My Lemongrass Leaves Wilting? – FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions about this topic.

Check: How to Care For a Lemongrass Plant [Useful Tips]

Also, you may like some more gardening articles:

• Should You Deadhead Hydrangeas and How To
• How Often Do You Water Lemongrass Plant
• How Do You Keep the Lemongrass Plant Healthy?
• What to Plant With Lemongrass
• How To Grow Lemongrass From Seed Indoors
• How to grow Lemongrass From Cuttings
• Growing Lemongrass in Pots

Wrapping Up

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a tropical plant from Southeast Asia, currently found in many other tropical regions.

It is used in Asian cuisine for its unique flavor, and, due to its numerous properties, it is also regarded as a medicinal herb.

In this article, we have outlined several things you can do to keep your Lemongrass plant healthy.

Typically, lemongrass is easy to grow and does well in a container or on the ground. If you are having trouble with your lemongrass leaves wilting, be sure to follow our recommendations!

With proper care, your lemongrass plant will thrive and produce delicious stalks for you to use in cooking.