Elettaria cardamomum
cardamom
An evergreen perennial with thick rhizomes producing upright shoots bearing long, narrow, dark green leaves. In summer, shoots spreading from the base carry white, orchid-like flowers with purple, yellow or pink markings, followed by small, aromatic, pale green pods (cardamom)
Synonyms
Amomum cardamomum L. non auct.
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | Green | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1BBotanical details
- Family
- Zingiberaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Elettaria are evergreen, rhizomatous perennials with erect, reed-like stems with two ranks of linear to lance-shaped leaves. Separate, horizontal flowering shoots bear three-petalled flowers followed by spherical or ellipsoid seed capsules
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- India
How to grow
Cultivation
Requires tropical conditions to fruit well, but can make a good foliage plant under glass. Grow in fertile, loam-based potting compost with added leaf mould or granulated bark in bright, filtered light with high humidity. Pot on in spring
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown with heat as soon as ripe, or by division
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Sub-tropical
Pruning
Remove flowered stems in spring
Pests
Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to thrips
Diseases
Generally disease-free but may be suscepible to a virus
Get involved
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