Let me let you know how I made a decision to purchase a curry plant. It wasn’t precisely deliberate. Only a traditional case of “properly, if the universe insists, who am I to face in the best way?”
You understand whenever you discover a factor (like a brand new phrase, for instance) and then you definitely maintain coming throughout it over and over? That’s what occurred to me and the plant that smells like curry.
First, I seen the oddity that’s the curry plant within the Asian nook of a botanical backyard I used to be visiting.
A number of months later, after dinner at my pal’s home, she confirmed me a tray of herbs her in-laws had introduced again as a memento from their travels. It included a curry plant – the one herb in that crate that I used to be not accustomed to.
And simply to seal the deal, the mighty Youtube algorithm began serving me movies of individuals rising this plant of their backyard. (Within the algo’s protection, I do watch plenty of gardening content material.)
Okay, universe! When you maintain winking my approach, I’ll get myself certainly one of these vegetation.
However what within the identify of all that’s aromatic is a curry plant?
Curry plant – or curry herb – is the favored identify for Helichrysum italicum. It’s a tender perennial with needle-shaped silver leaves and yellow flowers. It seems to be fairly much like lavender and rosemary. And its moniker comes from the truth that the recent leaves actually do odor like the combo of spices used to make the scrumptious curry dish.
One other two names I discovered for Helichrysum italicum are Italian strawflower (a nod to its Mediterranean origins) and l’immortelle. A fantastic phrase that interprets as eternal or immortal (because of the pores and skin rejuvenation properties of the important oil extracted from the flowers.)
However let’s make issues clear. The curry plant will not be the identical because the curry leaf tree (Murraya koenigii) whose leaves are used as flavoring in Indian and Asian cuisines.
When you have been hoping to make use of this plant to whip up batch after spicy batch of curry, I’m sorry to disappoint you.
Why ought to I even plant the curry herb?
If all this discuss of curry left you intrigued – and barely hungry – take into account this text your first signal from the universe that it’s best to plant a curry herb. (And if you happen to want extra indicators, come again and browse it two extra instances.)
Listed here are a number of causes that satisfied me to convey this plant into my backyard.
1. The curry plant smells wonderful.
Does the curry herb odor like curry? Sure, certainly. It has a pleasing curry perfume. And I’m delighted to report it’s not simply aromatic whenever you brush in opposition to the leaves. As quickly as I introduced this plant into the backyard, I seen that I get a pleasant whiff when the wind blows, particularly after it rains.
I just like the perfume a lot that I’ve purchased a number of vegetation. I positioned some in the back of the backyard and a pair proper alongside the deck. Simply to provide me extra alternatives to brush gently previous them and take of their scent.
I’ve written earlier than about the necessary function that scent performs in a backyard, so including one other scented plant to the combo was solely pure. However not like vegetation reminiscent of roses, jasmine and candy peas, which might be solely aromatic when in bloom, herbs reminiscent of Helichrysum italicum will launch their perfume for for much longer.
However what does the curry plant odor like, actually?
Curry powder itself is a mixture of cumin, turmeric, coriander, chili peppers and black pepper. Blends can fluctuate from one area to a different, even in the identical nation, so there are different variations that embrace fenugreek, cardamom and even ginger.
So it’s no surprise that to some gardeners the curry plant could odor primarily like certainly one of these substances. Different descriptions I’ve heard liken its perfume to maple syrup or cinnamon.
Total, to my nostril, the curry herb has a pleasing mixture of candy, floral and spicy aromas. However then once more, odor may be very subjective; so if you happen to’re doubtful or not very a fan of a great curry, see if you happen to can odor the curry plant first before you purchase it (i.e. don’t purchase it on-line).
When you just like the odor of the plant, there’s a draw back: it would make you crave curry even when it’s not on the menu.
2. It’s pretty simple to maintain the curry herb joyful.
Would I categorize the curry herb as a low-maintenance plant?
Sure, so long as you meet its fundamental wants. What can we speak about once we speak about plant wants? The three key components: soil, mild, water.
Right here’s how the curry plant fares in these three classes.
The curry plant does finest in sandy or loamy soil.
Being initially from a reasonably arid and sandy atmosphere, all of the members of the Helichrysum genus will do finest in sandy or loamy soil.
Within the wild, vegetation within the Helichrysum genus can develop at a better altitude of about 5500 ft (roughly 1700 meters) above sea degree, within the crevices between rocks. So it’s a tricky one.
The extra solar the curry plant receives, the poorer your backyard soil soil could be. With one caveat: the bottom wants to empty properly. Curry vegetation don’t like moisture accumulating across the roots.
In the case of mild, the curry plant likes full solar, however it’s going to do properly in partial shade, too. There is perhaps a distinction within the pace of development (quicker within the solar) and the amount of flowers it produces when it’s not in full solar.
The curry herb can face up to some wind and doesn’t require mulching.
3. The curry plant is a tricky plant.
Similar to lavender, the curry plant is a xerophyte – a plant that has tailored to a dry and sizzling atmosphere. You’ll be able to inform that by the tell-tale indicators that they’ve in widespread, such because the needle leather-like silver leaves and thick resinous stems.
These options are good for 2 causes. To start with, it makes the curry plant drought-resistant, so long as you water it sufficient whereas it’s getting established.
And secondly, bugs don’t actually look after the aromatic robust leaves, so widespread backyard pests go away it alone. Deer and rabbits additionally don’t just like the odor of the plant, so they tend to keep away from the spot the place you’ve planted it.
Nevertheless, the one factor that it’s not immune to is extended onerous frost. The curry plant can tolerate chilly, however can’t tolerate onerous frost.
As a young perennial, the curry herb will do properly in USDA zones 7 by 10. Nevertheless, it would want a bit of additional safety if the temperature dips under 14F (-10C).
Which brings me to my subsequent level.
4. You’ll be able to develop the curry plant in containers.
When you dwell in an space that will get onerous frost, you may develop the curry herb in containers and solely maintain it open air for the hotter months of the yr. The remainder of the time, it may be a pleasant little houseplant that can make your kitchen odor yummy even whenever you’re not cooking.
The trick is ensuring you place it subsequent to a window that will get loads of solar – at the least 4 to 6 hours a day could be supreme.
Or you are able to do what I’m doing to hedge my bets – plant a curry herb within the backyard and maintain some in pots, able to convey indoors in late fall. (Listed here are different ‘commuter’ vegetation that can transition easily indoors from the backyard.)
The backyard heart simply occurred to promote a cute topiary-shaped plant that can look nice as a desk centerpiece (and a dialog starter) subsequent Thanksgiving.
5. It’s simple to propagate the curry plant.
If the earlier level scared you into considering that there’s no level in taking the danger of planting curry herbs in the event that they’ll die in a frost anyway, right here’s the excellent news. There’s little or no danger when you might have backups.
And you may make your individual backups by taking curry plant cuttings.
You’ll be able to propagate the curry plant from cuttings within the spring, summer time or fall. Merely lower a number of lengths of stem about 4 to 6 inches lengthy (10-15 cm). Then strip off the underside leaves and stick the cuttings in a well-draining pot.
Hold the pot watered, however not soggy. You must begin noticing new roots popping out of the drainage holes in about 4 to 6 weeks.
When you’re a fan of simple options (I all the time am), you can even take the cuttings whenever you prune the curry plant in spring or within the fall.
Prune off the highest and the matted bits – very like you’ll prune lavender – after which stick the strongest stem prunings in soil.
Nevertheless, if you happen to’re propagating it within the fall, keep in mind to overwinter the cuttings in a frost-free greenhouse.
6. The curry plant flowers are a bonus.
The curry plant grows to about three ft tall (90 cm) and a couple of ft broad (60 cm). It is going to attain its full measurement in about two years, so it’s solely a matter of pruning and protecting it tidy after that. However don’t prune too late in spring. You don’t wish to miss out on the flowers, proper?
In July, the yellow flowers of the Helichrysum italicum will begin to open up and so they distinction fantastically in opposition to a background of silvery foliage.
Though the Helichrysum genus is a part of the Asteraceae household, the flowers resemble strawflowers (Xerochrysum bracteatum), therefore its different nickname – Italian strawflower.
Pollinators love the golden blooms. However you can even lower the flowers and dry them for garlands and different floral preparations. They’re appropriate for drying as a result of they keep their colour and form after selecting.
However does the curry plant style like curry?
The curry herb has a stronger odor than it has a style.
It smells like curry, however the style is fairly bland whenever you prepare dinner it, so you can’t use it as a curry substitute.
When you just like the slight bitterness of sage or savory (as in, the Satureja herb), for instance, you might benefit from the style of the curry plant. However you can even simply use it for delicate seasoning and take away it earlier than serving.
I decide the recent younger tops and crush them over salads and scrambles (tofu or eggs). It provides only for a touch of additional taste. You may also dry the leaves as you’ll every other herbs, however they gained’t retain all of the energy of their aromatic oils.
Total, I feel it’s best to give the curry plant a strive in your backyard. It’s about time we stepped exterior the consolation zone of the identical traditional herb selections and grew one thing additional enjoyable.
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Together with Sunday ramblings from our editor, Tracey, in addition to “What’s Up Wednesday” our roundup of what’s in season and new article updates and alerts.
