Home»Ornamentals»Grass
Lemongrass is an unbelievable herbaceous plant used in many formula , but it can be tough to find in store . Some find the tang a little overpowering , especially if they ’re not get using it .
However , this works is suitable for far more than just cooking . Lemongrass companion plants are one of their good usage . But what is associate planting , and why is lemongrass so swell for this one-time horticulture trick ?
Photo Credit: Instagram @lauralcb
Lemongrass Companion Plants
get ’s talk not only about why thelemongrass plantis a good companion industrial plant but lecture about some different plants that work well with it . But first , let ’s learn about the nontextual matter of fellow traveller planting itself .
What Is Companion Planting?
Alternately known as complimentary horticulture , this is one of the best - kept farming secret out there – simply because nobody ever thinks to ask about it .
Mother Nature loves residuum , so she gave some plant special properties to ameliorate other mintage around them . Some species have an innate ability to attract pollinators or good insects .
They often promise a giving fete of nectar yet produce none . However , the pollinator , having been attracted to the plant , then notice the many other industrial plant nearby that actually do have nectar and might have cash in one’s chips unnoticed otherwise .
Another feature article of many plants , such as Allium , marigold , and several common kitchen herb , is a strong aroma that humans might not notice but that blighter hate .
These plant chase away all sorts of gadfly , from aphid and ants to cervid and hare . When surrounded by these repellent plants , unwanted garden node often ignore even the tastiest snacks .
Finally , some plant produce chemicals that lick their way into the soil . For example , disgraceful walnut tree give up a chemical substance that will kill many flora , yet some mintage are immune .
This allows compatible plants to thrive without the risk of being choked out by weeds .
Other plant life , such as certain Allium , release chemicals that can really boost the ontogenesis of certain mintage or meliorate the flavor of some production plants .
Most importantly , associate planting uses plants with unlike root depth and similar needs to control far more dense garden spaces than ordinarily possible .
This pinnacle was featured in an older Mother Earth News Almanac , which explain how to rise a loaf of bread in one square acre without ever postulate to weed or use pesticides .
Literally , every plant add something to the intermixture .
Benefits Of Lemongrass
So now that we ’ve discussed associate planting , what are the beneficial qualities of lemon grass itself ?
Lemongrass has a strong citrus flavor and scent ( hence the name ) that insect pest absolutely hate .
It also contains citral and geranyl acetate , worm - repelling compound that can easily compete with many commercial-grade repellents .
Not only can lemongrass repel many common plant pesterer , such as aphids and mealybugs , and stimulate emmet to give it a wide berth ( it overwhelms the odour of their chemical lead ) , but it can also tag off fleas , ticks , and mosquitoes .
The Downside Of Lemongrass
It should be noted that lemongrass is one of the many plant that are toxic to pets .
Dogs can become inauspicious after consuming lemongrass and severely inauspicious if they consume hard lemon grass oil .
Even worse , lemongrass pulmonary tuberculosis can raise fatal for cats .
Please keep this in mind when plant a garden to which your pets have easy accession .
Another thing to keep in judgement is that lemongrass is n’t immune to mite .
This intend it can easily become infested with spider hint if uncover . Still , it also means you may preface predatory mites into your garden using lemongrass without chasing them off .
Five Great Companions For Lemongrass
There are a large number of plants that will benefit from having lemongrass nearby .
Some growers wish to mystify to other herb and spice , while others blend it with plants prone to infestation to trim back the need for pesticide .
Here are a few edible plants that tend to work especially well with lemongrass :
Echinacea (Echinacea spp.)
Also known as coneflower , the 10 metal money of genus Echinacea add a lot of beauty to your garden while also being a democratic herb for teas .
The purple coneflower ( Echinacea purpurea ) make for an especially striking emphasis to lemongrass ’s burnished leaves .
More significantly , two specie are currently endangered , so growing them with lemon grass gives you a beautiful display and saves nature !
Lemon Verbena (Aloysia Citrodora)
This is another culinary herbaceous plant that gives off a wondrous citrus scent .
When institute with lemon grass , the two become a solid barrieragainst mosquitoeswhile meet your garden or patio with that wonderful lemon scent .
Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)
Marigolds are amazing comrade flora and are often consider the perfect novice plant .
They can snub many coarse pests while attract pollinator and other good insects – including marauder species such as ladybugs and parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant .
When mate with lemongrass , you wo n’t have to fear wanderer jot attacking the lemongrass , and your entire garden will be even more saved and beautiful .
Mint (Mentha spp.)
Mint has a lot of wonderful qualities :
Peppermint and spearmint are the most normally grow , and if you plant dissimilar metal money stuffy together , you ’ll often end up with cross the undermentioned year .
When paired with lemongrass , you’re able to make your garden almost impenetrable for common plague while yield yourself some excellent tea plants that taste nifty when immerse together .
Thyme (Thymus spp.)
Not all members of this genus are used in the kitchen , but all of them are fantabulous companions for lemongrass .
These stringy , normally evergreen plants behave tiny flush , create a lovely display paired with the peaky , low-cal - leaf lemon grass .
Even more critical , thyme has similar pest - repelling properties and often has its own pleasant scent , make the garden even more grand to visit .
Other Great Lemongrass Companions
We could go on for days about the many plant that make for well with lemon grass , especially flower . Basically , if a unfolding plant life has similar care motive , it will profit from being near lemon grass .
In the meantime , we leave you with a listing of plants you might be growing in an herbaceous plant or produce in a garden extremely compatible with lemongrass .
