East Indian Lemongrass [Cymbopogon flexuosus]

The perennial East Indian lemongrass is a tropical aromatic, spice and medicinal plant with a special significance in medicine. High vitamin C content helps with colds and essential oils have a pleasant expectorant effect. Ideal for direct sowing or pre-cultivation, pot cultivation possible, sowing spring-summer-autumn, good for mixed culture, harvesting the leaves.

 Description 
East Indian lemongrass is a very old, tropical and perennial aromatic, spice and medicinal plant that originally comes from India. Due to its numerous uses, the evergreen species has a special significance in traditional Chinese medicine. The plants form narrow, long leaves and are more delicate in growth than West Indian lemongrass and have a slightly spicier taste, which is popular for refining cold and warm dishes. The pleasantly scented herb is used for bath additives, soaps, ointments and as a tea, and the plant has a diuretic effect that can transport toxins out of the body. In the case of colds, the high vitamin C content and the essential oils of the medicinal herb help to achieve a pleasant expectorant effect. The scent is floral, sweet and has a light lemon aroma.

 General information 
Plant family: Poaceae
Life cycle: Perennial
Days to harvest: 150 days
Plant height approx.: 100 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: Low
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to 0°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, sandy, loamy, humus

pH value: 6.5 to 7.5

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Light and warm germinator
Sowing depth: 0 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 20-28 °C
Germination time: 7-21 days
Plant and row spacing: 50x50 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 1-2 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: -
Unfavorable mixed culture: -

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Direct sowing from March to August is recommended. The ideal location for the plants is warm and sunny.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Pre-cultivation from March to May is recommended. The ideal location for the plants is warm and sunny.

 General recommendations 
The species naturally has a low germination rate of 40 to 60%. Direct sowing or pre-cultivation is recommended depending on the location. After germination, thin out the plants to the specified plant spacing.
Lemongrass ideally prefers a soil that is moderately nutrient-rich, dry to moist and permeable, containing sand, clay and humus. It does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
It easily self-seeds as a wind pollinator and establishes itself in the garden without spreading too much. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock flour is recommended.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds or root division.

 Plant care 
Regular watering results in faster growth. Fertilizing with plant manure in the spring of the following year is recommended to encourage strong new growth.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Cymbopogon flexuosus
English names: East Indian lemongrass
German names: Zitronengras, Sereh
Portuguese names: Capim-limão da Índia Oriental
Spanish names: Limoncillo de las Indias Orientales
French names: Citronnelle des Indes orientales

 Origin 
Country: Portugal