Serai (lemongrass) is a Malaysian kitchen hero. But if you’ve ever pulled out a whole plant and ended up with a sad, empty pot — you’re not alone.
Truth is, most people harvest lemongrass the wrong way, damaging the plant and slowing down regrowth.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to cut and care for your lemongrass so it keeps growing… and growing… and growing.
🌿 Why Lemongrass Is Worth Growing
- Super easy to grow in Malaysian weather
- Grows in pots, garden beds, even polybags
- Used in curries, soups, herbal tea, pest repellents
- Fast-growing and multipurpose (roots, leaves, stalk)
🌱 How Lemongrass Grows (Quick Breakdown)
- Grows in clumps of thick stalks
- New shoots (called “tillers”) come from the center
- Each clump can last 1–3 years with proper harvesting
- Harvestable every 4–6 weeks under good care
✂️ When Is the Right Time to Harvest?
| Sign | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Stalks are at least 1cm thick | Good for cooking |
| Base of stalk has bulbous shape | Mature and flavourful |
| Clump is overcrowded | Time to thin and harvest |
✅ Usually ready after 4–6 months from planting
🔪 How to Harvest Lemongrass (Without Killing It)
🌾 Option A: Harvest by Cutting
- Identify the outermost mature stalks (thickest ones)
- Use clean knife or garden shears
- Cut at the base, just above the soil line
- Remove outer leaves to reveal tender white core
✅ Leaves can be saved for tea, compost, or natural air fresheners
🌱 Option B: Harvest by Twisting (Whole Stalk Pull)
- Loosen soil around base
- Grab outer stalk firmly at base
- Gently twist and pull — avoid yanking center stalks
- Shake off soil, trim leaves, and use
✅ Only do this for 2–3 stalks per harvest to avoid shocking the plant
❌ What NOT to Do:
- Don’t cut the entire clump at once
- Don’t harvest immature center stalks
- Don’t rip from the middle (regrowth slows down drastically)
🔁 How to Encourage Regrowth After Harvest
- Fertilize lightly with compost or banana peel tea
- Water well the next day (keep soil moist, not soggy)
- Trim dead leaves around the base to allow airflow
- Add top-up soil or mulch if clump looks exposed
🧪 Pro tip: Mix 1 tbsp fish emulsion in 2L water and use as a growth booster monthly.
🧃 Can You Harvest the Leaves Too?
Absolutely. While the stalk is for cooking, the leaves are great for:
- Herbal tea (infuse fresh or dry it first)
- Natural cleaning spray (lemongrass + vinegar)
- Mosquito repellent (crush and rub on skin or place in rooms)
- Mulch (chop and lay at base of plants)
✅ Cut leaves with scissors — don’t pull from base.
📋 Harvesting Frequency Guide
| Plant Age | How Often to Harvest |
|---|---|
| < 4 months | Avoid harvesting (focus on growth) |
| 4–6 months | Light harvest (1–2 stalks) |
| 6+ months | Full harvest (3–5 stalks every month) |
🧯 Dealing With Common Problems
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow tips | Too much water / poor drainage | Reduce watering, aerate soil |
| No regrowth | Overharvested center stalks | Fertilize + mulch + wait |
| Thin stalks | Lack of sun or nutrients | Move to brighter spot, feed monthly |
| Pests (aphids, ants) | Stress or overcrowding | Neem spray, thin clump |
✅ Recap Table
| Task | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Watering | 2–3x per week |
| Fertilizing | Monthly (organic) |
| Trimming | After every harvest |
| Clump dividing | Every 6–12 months |
| Harvesting | 3–5 mature stalks/month |
🛠 Recommended Tools
- Garden shears or sharp knife
- Compost or banana peel fertilizer
- Mulch (dry leaves, coconut husk)
- Watering can with fine nozzle
- Shopee basket for harvesting 😎
✅ Wrap-Up
Serai is one of the easiest — and most forgiving — herbs to grow, but only if you harvest it right. Don’t go chop-crazy. Just focus on the outer stalks, keep it well-fed, and your lemongrass will keep giving you fragrant goodness for months to come.
Team Chop or Team Twist? Snap your serai harvest and tag @projectharvest.my — let’s see who’s got the most glorious stalks 🧅💚