Growing Lemongrass in Taita Taveta

Soil suitability analysis based on Taita Taveta's nutrient profile

Lemongrass can be grown in Taita Taveta County, but the soil scores 45/100 and needs targeted management to reach full potential. Local soils average pH 6.64 — neutral and inside the 5.5–7.5 band Lemongrass prefers, so no lime is usually required. The main gap is potassium — measured at N 0.97 g/kg, P 12.9 mg/kg, K 104 mg/kg against this crop's medium/medium/medium demand — so the fertilizer plan below prioritises closing that deficit. The county's predominantly loam soils suit Lemongrass, which favours loam. Taita Taveta receives approximately 500 mm/year — well below Lemongrass's minimum of 700 mm — so supplemental irrigation would be essential for this crop. Lemongrass's full potential is about 8,000 kg/acre (~KES 480,000/acre at KES 60/kg), but at Taita Taveta's 45/100 suitability a realistic target here is closer to 4,500 kg/acre (~KES 270,000/acre) unless the constraints above are addressed.