Lemongrass farming guide — Kenya
Soil requirements, top counties, seed varieties, fertilizer plan & economics
To grow lemongrass in Kenya, aim for soil pH 5.5–7.5 (loam soils); the best-suited counties are Nakuru, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Nandi, Nairobi. Apply DAP or NPK at planting and top-dress with CAN at Every 2 months. A well-managed crop yields about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 480,000 gross per acre).
Interested in starting or scaling lemongrass farming in Kenya? This comprehensive guide maps out the optimal soil requirements (such as target pH ranges), the most suitable counties for growing lemongrass, certified seed varieties, seasonal fertilizer guidelines, and a detailed per-acre production budget to set you up for a successful harvest.
Soil requirements
Growing conditions for Lemongrass
Lemongrass does best with 700–1,800 mm of rainfall a year at 0–2,000 m above sea level. In drier areas, irrigation or water harvesting closes the gap; outside the altitude band, growth and yields drop.
Optimizing soil and fertilizers for Lemongrass in Kenya
To achieve maximum yields when farming lemongrass in Kenya, managing soil suitability is crucial. This crop performs best within a soil pH range of 5.5 to 7.5. Soils that fall outside this range can lock out essential macro and micro-nutrients, leading to stunted growth or crop failure. For acidic soils, applying dolomitic or calcitic agricultural lime is recommended at least 30 days before planting to normalize acidity.
Fertilizer application should be calibrated based on the crop’s nutrient demands. Lemongrass has a medium nitrogen requirement, medium phosphorus requirement, and medium potassium demand. Using certified seed varieties suited for your specific altitude and rainfall pattern, combined with a precise basal and top-dressing program (such as applying CAN at Every 2 months), ensures high crop quality and protects your overall farm investment.
How to grow lemongrass in Kenya
- 1Prepare the soilEnsure soil pH is between 5.5 and 7.5. Preferred texture: Loam. Apply agricultural lime if your pH is below 5.5, ideally 30 days before planting.
- 2Plant at the right timePlant lemongrass during Long Rains (Slip Planting & Basal–First Cutting) or Short Rains (Slip Planting & Basal–First Cutting), timed to the start of the rains.
- 3Apply basal fertilizerLemongrass needs medium nitrogen, medium phosphorus, and medium potassium. Apply a balanced basal fertilizer such as DAP or NPK at planting.
- 4Top-dressAt Every 2 months, apply 0.4 bag(s) per acre of CAN. Ratoon crop — top-dress each cutting cycle for continuous biomass.
- 5Monitor and harvestScout regularly for pests and disease. Expected yield is about 8,000 kg/acre at roughly KES 60/kg.
Best counties for Lemongrass
Challenging counties for Lemongrass
These counties may need soil amendments for Lemongrass
Planting calendar
Long Rains
Short Rains
Economics
Top dressing
Ratoon crop — top-dress each cutting cycle for continuous biomass.
Fertilizer prices
Subsidized price / 50kg bag
Frequently asked questions about lemongrass farming in Kenya
What soil pH is best for growing lemongrass in Kenya?
Lemongrass grows best in soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. If your soil is more acidic than pH 5.5, apply agricultural lime about 30 days before planting to raise the pH and free up nutrients. The preferred soil texture is loam.
Which counties are best for lemongrass farming in Kenya?
By soil suitability, the top counties for lemongrass are Nakuru, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Nandi, Nairobi. A full ranking of all 47 counties, each with a suitability score, is shown above.
What fertilizer does lemongrass need?
Lemongrass has medium nitrogen, medium phosphorus, and medium potassium requirements. Apply a balanced basal fertilizer such as DAP or NPK at planting, then top-dress with 0.4 bag(s) per acre of CAN at Every 2 months.
When should I plant lemongrass in Kenya?
Plant lemongrass during Long Rains (Slip Planting & Basal to First Cutting) or Short Rains (Slip Planting & Basal to First Cutting), timed to the start of the rains in your area.
How much can I earn from lemongrass per acre in Kenya?
Lemongrass yields about 8,000 kg per acre. At a market price of roughly KES 60/kg, that is around KES 480,000 per acre in gross revenue, before input and labour costs.
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