Lemongrass is a tropical herb that usually grows in Asia, Australia, and Africa. This plant has many benefits and a refreshing fragrance. However, there are many people who ask is lemongrass perennial because it will affect the harvest period. You can find the answer below and you can also find out a lot of benefits just by using lemongrass.
Is Lemongrass Perennial?
Perennial plants are plants that can survive in all growing seasons. Although the reproductive cycle is completed in one planting season, the parent plant will continue to grow in the next season.
Typically, the survival of perennial plants is limited by several factors, for example, is cold temperature or winter season. There are some perennial plants that die after the growing season and before it turns to the winter.
Some perennial plants whose leaves and structures on the ground dry out in the winter but the roots stay alive and survive. Then, what about lemongrass, is lemongrass perennial plant?
Lemongrass is a perennial plant but sensitive to cold temperatures or in winter. In the moderately cooler zone, lemongrass can survive by turning off the leaves and reviving in spring.
Therefore, it is better to plant lemongrass in a pot or container because you can put it in the room when winter comes. So, lemongrass can grow throughout the year and you can feel the benefits of lemongrass.
5 Ways to Use Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a perennial plant so you can harvest it more often and feel the benefits of it. You can find out first how to harvest lemongrass, and then you can use lemongrass for various purposes. Lemongrass can be used as follows:
Mosquitos Repellent
Lemongrass contains citronella oil, which works to repel mosquitos. You can take a few lemongrass stalks and cut them thinly or grate them. After that, put it in the bowl and place it in the corners of the room. You can mix it with eucalyptus oil to give off a fresh aroma and more effectively dispel mosquitoes.
Herbal Teas
Lemongrass can be used as a drink that is fresh, tasty, and healthy. To make lemongrass drinks is very easy by boiling lemongrass stalks that have been crushed with water until it boils. If it is done, let it sit for a while and then strain before drinking. You can enjoy this drink when it is hot or cold by adding ice cubes.
This drink is so good for your body because it is relieving anxiety and lowering cholesterol. By drinking lemongrass tea can also prevent infection, boosting oral health, relieving pain, and boosting red blood cell levels.
Food Spices
Lemongrass is usually used for spices in Asian cuisine, for example in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and so on. Before using it as a spice, you should choose a quarter-inch lemongrass stalk.
The best part is the white one near the base of lemongrass. Lemongrass can be crushed, sliced, or grated and used as a paste. The remaining of the lemongrass can also be stored in the refrigerator for use later.
Traditional Medicine
Lemongrass can be used as traditional medicine. Various diseases can be treated using lemongrass; for example, coughing, sinusitis, skin irritation, stomachache, high cholesterol, and the common cold. However, each disease has a different lemongrass processing, some must be boiled or use lemongrass oil.
Natural Air Freshener
Lemongrass has a very fresh aroma. Therefore, lemongrass can be used as a natural air freshener. You can thinly slice or grated lemongrass and place it in a bowl. Put it in the corner of the room and you will be able to immediately smell the fragrance.
The explanation above has answered your question about is lemongrass perennial. Once you know the lemongrass is a perennial plant, you can harvest more than once. Do not forget to find out how to harvest lemongrass so that you can use lemongrass for various purposes described above.