Bought a bundle of serai for your tom yum and wondered — “Can I plant this?”
Good news: Yes, you can! Store-bought lemongrass (serai) is one of the easiest kitchen leftovers to turn into a thriving home garden superstar. Even if you’re starting with nothing but a sunny balcony and some leftover stalks, you’ll be harvesting fresh, aromatic lemongrass in just a few weeks.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to grow lemongrass from grocery store stalks, Malaysian-style — with practical steps, local tips, and common mistakes to avoid.
🌱 Step-by-Step: How to Regrow Lemongrass
1. Choose the Right Stalks
Head to your local pasar or supermarket and pick serai stalks that:
- Still have a bulb or white base intact
- Are thick and healthy-looking
- Have not been chopped too short (5–6 inches is ideal)
💡 Tip: Try to buy a few extras — not every stalk will root successfully.
2. Soak in Water (Rooting Stage)
Place 2–4 stalks in a glass of water with the bulb end down. Keep them in a bright area but out of direct sun.
- Change water every 1–2 days
- Roots will appear in about 5–10 days
📸 You’ll see white roots forming — once they’re about 2–3 cm long, it’s time to plant.
3. Transfer to Soil
Pot up your rooted stalks in a medium-sized pot with:
- Loose, well-draining soil (topsoil + compost + cocopeat mix)
- Full sun (minimum 6 hours daily)
- Water every 1–2 days, keep soil moist but not soggy
🪴 Use a pot at least 12 inches wide if growing on a balcony.
4. Ongoing Care & Growth
Once settled, lemongrass grows fast and bushy.
| Care Tips | Notes |
|---|---|
| Watering | Every 2–3 days or when topsoil feels dry |
| Fertilizer | Optional: Chicken manure, compost, or fish emulsion monthly |
| Pruning | Trim outer leaves for cooking; leave inner shoots intact |
| Repotting | Every 6–12 months if roots outgrow the pot |
🌞 Where to Grow Lemongrass (Even in Small Homes)
Whether you’re in a terrace house, high-rise, or kampung:
- Balcony or Porch: Ideal, as long as it gets sun
- Raised Beds or Garden Corners: Great if you want to grow in clumps
- Kitchen Counter: Root in water first, then transfer outside
🧑🌾 How Long Does It Take to Harvest?
You can start harvesting the outer stalks in as little as 3–4 months.
- Snip mature stalks at the base (they should feel firm and thick)
- Leave the younger shoots to keep growing
🌱 Pro Tip: The more you harvest, the more it encourages new shoots!
🍋 Lemongrass Benefits Beyond Cooking
Besides its unmistakable aroma in dishes like tom yum, nasi lemak, and rendang, lemongrass also offers:
- Natural mosquito repellent properties
- Herbal tea potential (just boil the leaves!)
- Air purifying effects
- Pet-safe foliage (unlike onions/garlic)
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Using dry or chopped ends | Make sure the bulb is still attached |
| Leaving in water too long | Move to soil after roots appear |
| Overwatering in soil | Use a pot with drainage and don’t drown it |
| Not enough sun | Lemongrass is a sun-lover — at least 6 hours daily! |
👨🌾 Bonus: Multiply Your Lemongrass
Once your plant is bushy, you can divide it:
- Dig up the root ball
- Split clumps into sections with roots and stalks attached
- Replant each clump in new pots
It’s like cloning your serai! 🌿
Final Words:
Serai is more than just a flavour bomb for your food — it’s a gateway to your edible home garden. Easy to regrow, low maintenance, and always in demand in the kitchen.
So the next time you buy a bundle, save a few stalks. Your garden (and nasi goreng) will thank you.
📢 Join the #ProjectHarvestMY Community
Have you successfully grown serai at home?
Tag us on Instagram @projectharvest.my — we’d love to feature your green victories!