The curry plant has a pungent, honey-rich, curry-like, sweet smell that is restorative, uplifting, cleansing and a tonic.
Curry plant cultivation
The curry plant is an evergreen aromatic herb that releases a mouthwatering fragrance of curry each time you brush past it. This is an upright plant that will grow into a semi-sprawling shrub of about 60cm. It has densely arrayed needle-shaped leaves which are covered in fine hairs. These give the plant a silvered appearance. It requires an open sunny position and a very well drained soil. Plants may suffer temporary die back after light frost. If your temperature drops below 5°C then plant under protection for the winter. You can prune and shape the shrub. It does not do well in prolonged rain so to avoid any fungus which may grow on the foliage mulch around the plant, and ensure it has good air circulation.
Which one to buy?
Look for dartington which has mustard-yellow flowers or nanum which is a dwarf herb. As it only grows to 30cm it is perfect for small gardens or to edge flower beds. Do not confuse this with a curry tree. The curry tree leaves are what you use traditionally for Indian cooking. You can plant a curry tree in a container and it prefers a warm climate and must be placed in full sun, but it will survive in partial shade.
How to use
You can use the leaves and the flowers, picked fresh. Add sprigs to eggs, chiken, rice or vegetable dishes to impart a mild curry flavour, but only cook briefly. An essential oil is produced by steam distillation from the fresh flowers. This antiseptic oil can be used for treating nervous debility or to ease muscular aches and pain. An infusion or tea is used as a treatment for respiratory infections, digestive disorders and skin complaints.
Information sourced from The Complete Book of Herbs and The Essential Aromatherapy Garden. Make sure you take a look at these caveats before using an essential oil, and if possible, buy organic.
I have found that this plant thrives on neglect 🙂
which in my case is a good thing!
I didn’t even know there was such thing as a curry plant! Knew about the Indian curry leaves and all–but hadn’t stopped to think I could have a potted one of those, now I want to look into that!
I have had a curry bush before which died back in a black south easter and never revived. I am going to look at getting a curry leaf tree as well 🙂
You always have the best informative posts
it is the collection of books I have 🙂
Curry plant? Will look for it at the local nursery…thanks for the nice post…I love having pots of edible plants 🙂
Hope you are having a fantastic week Tandy!
Great information. Love plants, and food. I ‘ll also be looking into the Curry Plant. I am always on the look out for certain wild, indigenous plants in my area to bring home to cook. Mushrooms are fun, and tasty. God Bless
paul
We LOVE curry leaves! My mother has a huge tree in her backyard, and she regularly brings me branches to dry.. 🙂
that is so great Celia! I need to get planting soon 🙂
I used to have a curry plant in my herb garden – might replant it again, thanks for the reminder.
Have a super day.
🙂 Mandy
I want one near my back door so that as the door opens I can brush against it and get that nice scent 🙂
I looked at a curry plant this past weekend at the nursery! You have just convinced me now to go and buy one. (I bought pineapple sage?!)
the pineapple sage is amazing! I love the curry plants 🙂
I have never heard of this plant, only of curry leaves. We can buy those in most supermarkets here, and I like to tuck some fresh leaves into my jars of masala powder 🙂
thank you for that great tip! Have a lovely day 🙂