The pleasantly scented curry herb is becoming increasingly popular, even if it does not replace the spice mixture of the same name in the kitchen. It can be grown in a pot on the balcony or windowsill, in a mild region also in the garden.

Curry herb prefers to be in the blazing sun

location and soil

The curry herb prefers to stand in the blazing sun, but it also thrives quite well in a partially shaded location. The plant likes it warm and dry. The soil may be pebbly to sandy and calcareous. The curry herb does not tolerate waterlogging at all.

Sow curry cabbage

Curry herb is relatively easy to grow from seed. It is best to grow the herb on the windowsill or in a heated greenhouse. At around 18 °C, the germination period is around two weeks. The young plants are only allowed to go into the garden or onto the balcony after the ice saints, they are still quite sensitive.

Plant curry herb

As an alternative to sowing, you can also buy curry herb in pots from a well-stocked nursery. Plant it in the garden, then keep a sufficient distance to the neighboring plants. The planting distance should be at least 30 to 40 centimeters. Curry herb grows more in width than in height. Depending on the species, this is 20 to 70 centimeters for the mature herb.

Water and fertilize

The curry herb is quite frugal and requires only a few nutrients. Therefore, one fertilization per month is usually sufficient. It is best to use (liquid) herb fertilizer if the curry herb is intended for consumption. You should also be sparing with water. The curry herb copes better with drought than with waterlogging, but should not dry out completely.

Cut curry cabbage

If the curry herb is not harvested or cut back regularly, the herb will wither. You should therefore reach for garden shears or a harvesting knife from time to time. This also encourages the branching of the curry herb and it becomes nice and bushy. If harvested regularly, a separate pruning is usually not necessary.

Curry herb in winter

The curry herb is not hardy, it does not particularly like temperatures below + 10 °C. It is therefore better to overwinter the herb indoors in a cool region. For example, a frost-free greenhouse or an unheated conservatory is suitable.

Curry herb in a nutshell:

  • perennial woody subshrub
  • not hardy
  • Size: 20 to 70 cm in height, up to twice as wide
  • ideal harvest time just before flowering
  • Flowering period: between May and September
  • yellow flowers, silver-grey leaves
  • Location: sunny to semi-shady
  • Soil: moderately dry to dry, gravelly to sandy

tips

With its silvery hairy leaves, the curry herb is an ornament in the summer garden.

Category:

Vegetable garden