Asian Lemongrass Plant
Asian Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Citratus)
Our Asian lemongrass plants usually stays dormant during colder months. Around spring time they need to be pruned down to its shoulder to allow new leaves to sprout.
Also known as West Indies Lemongrass, originally from Malaysia, with big stalks, strong flavours and fragrancy smells when sliced. Do not mistake this as Citronella as they are two completely different species. This one is a large Asian variety hardly available elsewhere in NZ.
The lemongrass plant is a culinary herbs native of East India, and widely used in Asian, Caribbean and Mexican cuisine. Known for its light, lemony flavor, it adds the same fruity citrus taste as an actual lemon, without any bitter consequences.
Plant Care
- Soil: Prefers well-drained, fertile soil with plenty of organic matter. Can tolerate a wide pH range.
- Watering: Requires consistent moisture. Water regularly to keep the soil from drying out completely, especially in hot, dry weather.
- Temperature: Best grown in warm climates, ideal temperatures range from 22°C to 30°C. It is frost-sensitive and needs protection or overwintering indoors in cooler climates.
- Light: Thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Full sun encourages the most robust growth and flavor concentration.
- Fertilising: Fertilise every four to six weeks during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10. Lemongrass benefits significantly from regular feeding, especially when harvested frequently.
- Pruning: Trim regularly to encourage new growth and prevent the plant from becoming too woody. Harvesting the stalks for culinary use naturally helps manage plant size.
- Mulching:Apply organic mulch around the plants to help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and keep root temperatures stable.
- Pest Control: Generally pest-resistant but can occasionally suffer from rust or fungal infections. Treat with organic fungicides and ensure good air circulation to prevent issues.
- Flowering and Fruiting: Lemongrass rarely flowers outside tropical climates. It is primarily grown for its aromatic leaves.
- Potting: Suitable for container gardening. Ensure the pot is large enough to accommodate rapid growth and has good drainage. Potted plants may need more frequent watering and fertilization.
- Feeding Regime: Incorporating compost or well-rotted manure into the soil can improve nutrient availability, especially after harvesting leaves which can deplete soil resources.
We ship our plants and garden supplies throughout New Zealand. Due to the increased costs of shipping and packaging, we now apply a minimal delivery charge. After offering free shipping for three consecutive years, we find it necessary to adjust this policy to align with current market conditions. However, we have lowered our prices to help offset this change.
Please note, we do not ship plants or garden supplies internationally from New Zealand. We do export plants and tissue culture materials from our overseas nursery, which requires a minimum order. Please contact us at hello@exoticanz.com to discuss your specific requirements.
Shipping (per plant)
Auckland & Northland: $20
Rest of North Island: $25
South Island: $35
Rural Address: Additional $5
Shipping Garden Supplies
Auckland & Northland: $10
Rest of North Island: $15
South Island: $20
Rural Address: Additional $5
Delivery
- Our plants are available for shipment throughout the year, depending on stock levels. Typical delivery times range from 5 to 7 business days, although they can take up to 10 business days depending on the destination.
- We take extra care in packaging; most of our plants are secured in bespoke inserts and shipped in individual boxes to ensure they arrive undamaged.
- Deliveries are scheduled once a week, typically on Monday. If you place your order over the weekend, we aim to dispatch your plants on the following Monday. This scheduling allows our team to prepare your order thoroughly and ensures the courier has sufficient time to deliver your plants safely, avoiding any unnecessary delays over the weekend.
- All orders are shipped via courier track and trace service (not signature required)
- We cannot deliver to PO Box addresses.
- If you have a rural address, please contact us beforehand to discuss the best delivery options and avoid any potential issues.
Additional Delivery Information
- We dispatch our plants year-round, as most are shipped with soil. During the winter months, we closely monitor weather conditions and may temporarily delay shipments if the weather is particularly severe. Our packing process includes adding insulation when necessary to protect the plants against temperature extremes.
- In summer, we ensure that plants are thoroughly watered before they leave our nursery. Occasionally, we may need to ship plants bare-rooted, particularly when they cannot be comfortably re-potted into smaller packaging for shipping. We will always discuss this with you in advance if your plant needs to be shipped in this manner.
- It's important to note that shipping can be a stressful experience for plants, often due to spending several days in a dark, confined space. While most plants withstand this with little to no stress, some may experience leaf drop. However, they generally recover quickly with some additional care, including proper watering and gradual reintroduction to light after arrival.
