Species cardamom
yellow-green leaves with green veins and midribs on light-green stems

cardamom

Elettaria cardamomum

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is an amazing aromatic and flavorful plant species with a distinct lemon-ginger taste that is a staple in Middle-Eastern and Indian cuisine. Its small, beige, oval-shaped fruits contain many tiny, black, flavorful seeds with a pungent, sweet aroma. It is used in many dishes, teas, beverages, and even as medicine! Cardamom has many medicinal benefits, including aiding digestion, fighting infections, and helping to detoxify the body. It also promotes a healthy nervous system and a strong immune system. The flavor of cardamom can brighten up the taste of many dishes and is a delicious way to add some extra goodness to meals.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

10 - 12

Flowers:

Flowers

Sun:

Part shade

Fruits:

green,brown,black Fruits Ready In Summer

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

High

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is a plant that loves moisture and steady watering. It requires frequent watering (about every 3 days), especially during its peak growing season in early spring, summer and fall. During the winter, the plant requires less water, usually every 2 weeks. When watering your cardamom plant, it is important to make sure that the soil is always slightly moist. The soil should never be allowed to dry out completely. Also, make sure to water directly into the root zone: use a thin, gentle stream of water from a watering can or a hose with a spray nozzle. Do not over-water as this can lead to root rot or other plant issues.

sunlight

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) requires plenty of sunlight in order to grow and thrive. At least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight every day is recommended for optimal growth. It should also be exposed to plenty of diffused and indirect light the rest of the day. When the plant is grown outdoors, it will benefit from light for most of the day but should be shaded from any harsh afternoon sun. If grown indoors, a combination of natural and artificial light should be provided for the plant.

pruning

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is a valuable spice and tropical ornamental plant that responds well to regular pruning. Depending on the age and size of the cardamom plant, pruning should be done at least once a year, in the spring. For young cardamom plants it is important to prevent over-crowding by removing any dead or weak foliage as well as any runners that may be spreading in an uncontrolled fashion. Pruning should also be done to encourage more robust plants by promoting vigorous branching. For more mature cardamom plants, pruning should be done to maintain an attractive, neat shape and to ensure good air circulation. Prune away any dead or damaged branches as well as any fibrous roots that have begun to encircle the stem. In general, it’s best to stick to simple tips when pruning cardamom plants. This includes cutting back or removing older stems to let healthier ones take their place and pruning away any diseased, damaged, or dead foliage to prevent further damage. Lastly, make sure to prune sparingly—over-pruning can damage the plant and stunt its growth.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Cardamom typically starts flowering in April or May.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom) typically begins in April and continues through August.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom) typically begins in April and continues through August.

Hardiness Map