What Does Lemongrass Look Like

If you’ve ever wondered what does lemongrass look like, you’re not alone. This popular herb is a staple in many kitchens and gardens, but its appearance can be confusing if you’re only familiar with its prepared form. Let’s clear that up right away.

Visually, lemongrass is a tall, perennial grass that forms dense clumps. It has straight, stiff, and slender green stalks that emerge from a bulbous, pale base. The most distinctive feature is its intense, lemony aroma, which is released the moment you brush against or cut the leaves.

To truly recognize lemongrass, you need to know its key parts. At the nursery, you might see it in pots, and in your garden, it will grow into a impressive fountain of foliage.

The Overall Structure and Growth Habit

Lemongrass grows in tight clusters, similar to ornamental grasses like pampas grass. A mature plant can reach 3 to 6 feet tall and spread about 3 feet wide. It has a fast, upright growth habit. The plant sends up numerous shoots from a central root mass, creating a dense clump that can act as a privacy screen in your garden.

Detailed Breakdown: Stalks, Leaves, and Base

Here’s what to look for on an individual stalk:

The Base (Bulb): This is the most prized part for cooking. It’s a swollen, tender section near the soil line, usually 4 to 6 inches long. It’s pale yellow to very light green, sometimes with a pinkish or purple tinge. This part is fibrous but aromatic.
The Stalk: Above the bulb, the stalk becomes a tight cylinder of overlapping leaves. It’s green and firm, resembling a very tough green onion or a young leek. The outer layers are often woody and need to be peeled away to reveal the softer, fragrant core.
The Leaves: From the top of the stalk, long, slender leaves arch outward. They are bright green, rough-edged (they can give you a paper cut), and taper to a sharp point. The leaves are where much of the aromatic oils are, though they are too fibrous to eat.

Aromatic Profile: The Scent Test

Your nose is the best tool for identification. True lemongrass has a powerful, clean citrus scent. It’s not sweet like lemon candy; it’s more earthy, sharp, and herbal. Crush a small piece of leaf between your fingers—if it smells strongly of lemon with a hint of ginger, you’ve got the right plant. If it lacks this signature scent, it might be a look-alike grass.

Lemongrass in Different Stages and Forms

You’ll encounter lemongrass in a few ways:

Live Plant: A lush clump of green grass with the characteristic bulbous bases.
Fresh Stalks (Grocery Store): Usually sold in bundles of 3-4 trimmed stalks. They look like long, woody scallions with the leafy tops often cut short. The base should be firm and aromatic.
Dried: Sold as whole dried stalks or chopped. It loses its vibrant color, turning tan or brown, but retains some fragrance.
Young Seedlings: At this stage, they look like spiky grass clumps without the pronounced bulb. The scent is already present.

Common Look-Alikes and How to Tell Them Apart

Several plants can be mistaken for lemongrass, especially when young.

Citronella Grass vs. Lemongrass

They are close relatives and look nearly identical. Citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus) is often sold as a mosquito repellent plant. Key differences:

Citronella has wider, droopier leaves that are more blue-green in color.
Its base is usually red or magenta, while lemongrass is more pale.
The scent is different. Citronella smells more like the classic mosquito candle—sharp and pungent, less like fresh lemon.

Ornamental Grasses

Many landscape grasses, like fountain grass, form similar clumps. They lack the swollen, edible base and, most importantly, the lemony fragrance. Always do the crush-and-sniff test.

How to Select the Best Fresh Lemongrass

When buying fresh stalks, follow these tips:

Check the Base: The lower 4-6 inches should be firm, not soft or spongy. A slight give is okay, but mushiness means it’s old.
Look for Plumpness: Choose stalks that feel heavy for their size, with tight, concentric layers.
Inspect the Leaves: The leafy tops should be green, not brown or dried out. This indicates freshness.
Smell It: Even through the plastic wrap, you should be able to detect a fresh lemon scent. If you can’t smell anything, it’s lost its potency.

Growing Your Own for Visual and Aromatic Appeal

Growing lemongrass is rewarding. You get to see its full life cycle and always have it on hand.

Start with a Stalk: Place a fresh stalk from the store in a glass of water, submerging just the base. Change the water every few days.
Wait for Roots: In about 2-3 weeks, you’ll see roots sprouting from the bottom. This is a sure sign it’s ready to plant.
Plant It: Plant the rooted stalk in a large pot or in the ground after the last frost. It needs full sun and well-draining soil.
Watch it Grow: With ample water and warmth, it will quickly shoot up and form a new clump. You can harvest stalks once they are about half an inch thick at the base.

The visual impact of a mature clump in your garden is striking, and brushing past it releases its wonderful aroma into the air.

Preparing Lemongrass for Use

To use lemongrass, you need to prep it correctly to enjoy its flavor and avoid tough fibers.

Trimming: Cut off the very woody bottom tip (about ½ inch) and the dry, grassy top. You’ll use the lower 6-8 inches of the stalk.
Peeling: Remove the tough, outer layers until you reach the more tender, pale yellow core. This is the most aromatic part.
Bruising: For soups or curries, smash the prepared stalk with the side of your knife to release its oils.
Slicing: For direct eating, slice the tender core very thinly across the grain, or mince it finely.

FAQ: Your Lemongrass Questions Answered

What part of lemongrass do you use?

You use the lower, bulbous part of the stalk—the pale, tender section about 4 to 6 inches from the bottom. The upper green stalk and leaves are too fibrous to eat but can be used to flavor broths and then removed.

Can you eat lemongrass raw?

Yes, but only the very tender inner core, sliced extremely thin. It is very fibrous, so most people prefer to use it to infuse flavor in cooked dishes and remove the pieces before serving.

How do I store fresh lemongrass?

Wrap fresh stalks loosely in a paper towel, place them in a plastic bag, and store in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer. They can last for 2-3 weeks. For longer storage, you can chop and freeze them.

Why does my lemongrass plant not smell strong?

Weak scent can be due to insufficient sunlight, overwatering, or poor soil. Ensure it gets at least 6-8 hours of full sun. The aroma compounds develop best in strong light. Also, some younger shoots simply have a milder scent than mature stalks.

Is lemongrass a type of lemon?

No, it is not related to the lemon fruit tree at all. Lemongrass is a tropical grass, while lemons grow on trees. They share a similar aromatic compound called citral, which gives them their common citrus scent.

Now you know exactly what does lemongrass look like and how to identify it by sight and smell. Whether you’re picking it out at the market, spotting it in a friends garden, or growing your own, its tall grassy clumps and unmistakable aroma make it a unique and valuable plant to know. With this guide, you’ll never mistake it for another herb again.