Cardamom ( Elettaria cardamomum ) is an evergreen perennial plant in theginger family , Zingiberaceae . It is native to the tropical rainforest of India and Sri Lanka .
cardamon seeds are used to make the sought - after spice of the same name that is used in Indian , Middle Eastern , Scandinavian and Asian cuisines , though Guatemala is the globe ’s large manufacturer of the spice . In fact , Elettaria cardamomum is the third most expensive spice in the populace when measure by weight .
cardamon plants are hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 to 12 . They are also grown for their cosmetic foliage .
Cardamom Plant Identification
cardamum plants are with child , clump herbaceous perennials that have a height of up to 15 feet . shoot grow from fleshy underground stems known as rhizome . The fragrant leave of a cardamom plant are sword - work . They raise up to 2 feet long and have a shining green people of colour .
Elettaria cardamomum flower are little and yellow and grow tight to the earth . Cardamom fruits are green - yellow space capsule , each of which contains between 15 and 20 highly aromatic seeds . Because the capsules may split and disperse the seeds if countenance to mature on the plant , the capsules are harvested green by hand and allowed to dry before the seeds are excerpt .
Though cardamom can be spring up from seed , propagation is usually done by dividing the rhizomes .
Growing Cardamom Trees Outdoors
As tropical plants , cardamon Tree are sensitive to temperatures below 50 ° F ; if they endure stale trauma , they will not blossom the undermentioned year . Instead , Elettaria cardamomum flora should be grown in warm climates at temperatures between 65 and 95 ° F and around 75 % humidness .
As rainforest plant , cardamon works grow best in partial shade rather than in verbatim sunlight . They do best in soil that has a slenderly acidic pH between 5.5 and 6.8 . Loamy ground that is proceed moist but drains well is ideal for this species . Cardamom industrial plant should be plant 5 to 10 foot apart .
Tip
Because cardamom plants are native to rainforests , they thrive in shady , moist conditions .
Growing Cardamom Plants Indoors
out of doors of its hardiness zones , you could grow a cardamom tree as an indoor plant , though indoor specimens will not flower and therefore will not give rise seeds . You should also ensure you have enough space for the plant life , which can reach a height of up to 10 human foot even indoors .
To acquire cardamom indoors , you will necessitate a wad that is 10 column inch thick and has cakehole for drainage . For serious results , apply a loamy develop sensitive and incorporate organic matter .
cardamon flora can be turn indoors for their foliage but will not bloom .
Indoor cardamom plants need soil that is moist , and they expand in high humidness . A john is a good location for this plant . You ’ll want to spray the cardamom pass on with pee multiple times during the week . You should also place the plenty on a tray of sozzled pebbles .
Elettaria cardamomum plants benefit from even impregnation . flow your flora twice a calendar month with ahouseplant formulathat bear more N than atomic number 19 .
