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Everything You Need to Know About Lemongrass — Care, Propagation & More

Your complete Filipino gardener’s guide to growing, caring for, and harvesting Tanglad — from seed to table.

Filipino Tanglad Scientific Cymbopogon citratus
DifficultyEasy
📅
Days to HarvestStalks harvestable 4-6 months after planting
🏡
ContainerYes
🌞
SunlightFull sun
🍴

What Can You Eat?

Discover the edible parts and how Filipinos enjoy this plant in everyday cooking.

Edible Parts
🌿 Stem 🥬 Leaf
🍳
How It’s Eaten in Philippine Cuisine

Stuffed inside lechon and chicken inasal. Tanglad tea for digestion, colds, and stress. Boiled with calamansi as a refreshing drink. Essential in Cebu lechon recipes.

🇵🇭
Cultural Significance in the Philippines

Tanglad is the soul of Cebu lechon — stuffed inside the pig with kalamansi and salt. Tanglad tea is a household remedy for colds and digestion. Plants also repel mosquitoes naturally, making them perfect for backyards in Manila.

🌱

Germination Guide

From seed to sprout — here’s what to expect and how to get started.

Cuttings root in 14-21 days
Days to Germinate
24-32°C
Ideal Temperature
Stem cuttings or division of clumps
Method
Step-by-Step Timeline
1
Buy fresh tanglad stems from market — choose those with intact bases.
2
Place bottom 5 cm in glass of water; roots appear in 2 weeks.
3
Transplant rooted stalks to soil.
4
Or divide clumps from existing plants.
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Planting Instructions

Everything you need to prepare — soil, spacing, depth, and the best Philippine planting months.

🪴
Soil Type
Sandy loam, well-drained
⚗️
Soil pH
6.0-7.5
↔️
Spacing
60-90 cm between plants (clumps spread)
⬇️
Sowing Depth
Plant 5 cm deep
🪣
Container Size
Minimum 20 L pot, wide rather than deep
📅
Best Season (PH)
Year-round; April to August best for new plantings.
Philippine Seasonal Calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
M = recommended planting months
🌿

Propagation Methods

Learn the best ways to multiply your plants — from seeds to cuttings.

Cuttings Division
Steps
1
Take fresh tanglad stem with intact base.
2
Place in glass of water for 2 weeks until rooted.
3
Transplant to soil.
4
Or divide an existing clump in spring.
💚

Care Guide

Keep your plant happy and thriving with the right light, water, and nutrients.

🌞 Sunlight

Full sun

💧 Watering

Moderate; drought-tolerant once established

🌱 Fertilizer

Compost annually; minimal feeding

🌡️ Temperature

24-32°C

💨 Humidity

60-90%

🪨 Soil Maintenance

Mulch lightly; divide clumps every 2 years to maintain vigor.

🌾

Harvest Guide

Know when and how to harvest for the best yield and flavor.

Stalks harvestable 4-6 months after planting
Days to Harvest
👀
Signs of Readiness

Stalks at base are 1.5 cm thick.

✂️
How to Harvest

Cut stalks at base with knife; trim roots and tops for use.

⚠️

Common Problems & Solutions

Spot issues early and fix them fast.

Clump becoming woody and dying in center

Cause: Old clump needs division

Solution: Lift, divide, replant younger sections every 2 years.

Yellowing leaves

Cause: Drought stress

Solution: Deep water during dry spells.

Slow growth

Cause: Cold or compacted soil

Solution: Plant in warm season; loosen soil.

Pest damage

Cause: Rare; tanglad's citronella oil deters most pests

Solution: Usually self-protecting — main role is to repel mosquitoes near it.

🌻

Perfect Plant Partners

Plants that grow well together.