Lemongrass is cultivated around the world for a variety of reasons. It's mainly grown for its oils, which have a number of uses including for vitamin A, perfumes, insect spray, cosmetics, perfumes and food and drink. Lemongrass is also enjoyed as a tea throughout the world.
The lemongrass stalk is too tough to eat on its own so has to be finely crushed or chopped.
It is essential in many Asian cuisines, especially Thai dishes, giving them a subtle citrus flavour.
 
Propagation is by division of the bulbous base with roots. After pulling apart sections cut the leaves off and then plant in the garden or a pot. These cut leaves are good for using as mulch. It is best to plant in spring, summer or early autumn, if propagated in winter the success rate can be quite low. Plant each 30cm apart.
Using thick mulch around the plant means it will need very little attention once it has been established.
It is best to plant lemongrass in well-drained soil with full or partial sun. In cold climates, lemongrass can be planted in a pot to bring inside in harsher weather. In very low temperatures it can help to spray the leaves of lemongrass with warm water. Lemongrass needs a minimum night temperature of 8 degrees.
Lemongrass is often used as a barrier plant to divide grass from the garden bed and in Laos it is very thickly planted with the idea of keeping snakes away from the house.