How to Grow Lemongrass in Your Balcony: Simple Pot Gardening Tips

Want fresh lemongrass without needing a garden? A sunny balcony is enough. This hardy herb grows well in containers and can be started easily from fresh stalks bought from the market.

1. Choose the Right Pot

Pick a pot at least 10–12 inches wide with drainage holes. Lemongrass can become bushy, so a spacious container gives its roots room to spread. Use nutrient-rich, well-draining soil mixed with compost, cocopeat or perlite.

2. Start With Fresh Stalks

Choose firm lemongrass stalks with a healthy base and some green growth. Place the lower end in a glass of water and keep it somewhere warm with gentle, indirect sunlight. Change the water every few days.

3. Move It to Soil

Once roots appear, transfer the stalk to the prepared pot. Plant the rooted end a few centimetres deep and gently firm the soil around it.

4. Give It Plenty of Sun

Lemongrass thrives in bright sunlight. Keep the pot in the sunniest part of your balcony and aim for around six hours of sunlight daily. With less light, it may still grow but more slowly.

5. Water Carefully

Keep the soil slightly moist while the plant gets established, but avoid soggy soil. Check the top layer before watering. If it feels dry, water thoroughly and let the excess drain away.

6. Feed It Occasionally

Once established, add a little compost or organic fertiliser every few weeks during the active growing season. This can support healthy leaves and steady growth.

7. Harvest the Mature Stalks

When the stalks become thick and well-developed, harvest the outer ones by cutting them close to the base. Leave the younger shoots untouched so the plant can continue producing fresh growth.

With enough sunlight, good drainage, careful watering and occasional feeding, one balcony pot can keep supplying fresh lemongrass for your kitchen.