Green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) - live plant

• A live, rooted plant
• Tropical aromatic perennial, to grow in a pot
• Packaging suited to live plants

Elettaria cardamomum belongs to the Zingiberaceae, the ginger and turmeric family. It forms a clump of upright leafy stems, which can reach two to three metres in their native habitat, the humid forests of southern India.

Its flowering is surprising: the flowers do not appear at the top of the stems, but on creeping stalks that run along the ground from the rhizome. These are what then bear the pods harvested as a spice.

Three requirements: warmth, humidity, and above all no direct sun. It is a tropical understorey plant, and full sun scorches its foliage.

Grow it in a pot in a rich, free-draining substrate, with regular watering and good humidity. It cannot tolerate frost: overwinter it indoors, in a bright room but out of direct sun, watering less often.

In our climate, it is grown for its foliage. Fruiting is rare, as it requires prolonged tropical conditions.

Will I get cardamom pods?
It is unlikely at our latitudes. Here the plant is grown for its aromatic foliage, which flavours a syrup, an infusion or a cream very well.

Can the leaves be used?
Yes, they are very fragrant. A leaf crushed into a hot preparation releases an aroma close to that of the pod.

Does it need a lot of light?
Light yes, direct sun no. It is a forest-shade plant: the sun scorches its leaves.

Is it hardy?
No, not at all. It must be brought in, frost-free.

Also worth exploring: our aromatic and edible plants and our rare plants.