Malabar Cardamom Elaichi Plant

Elettaria cardamomum

Family

Zingiberaceae

Origin

India, South Asia

Description

The cardamom plant is a tall tropical plant ,growing upto 5 to 10 foot, that thrives in partial shade. The leaves are lance shaped and may grow up to two feet (0.5 m.) in length. Stems are rigid and erect, forming an inverted skirt around the plant. The flowers are tiny, but pretty, in either white with yellow or red but another form of the plant may also produce black, white, or red pods. The pods are crushed open to reveal tiny black seeds, the source of cardamom spice.

Environment

Cardamom prefers a rich, loamy slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.1 – 6.6. It is a shade-loving plant and is therefore grown under shady trees. Cardamom needs to stay moist and does not tolerate drought. In hot, arid regions, provide extra humidity through the leaves.

Elettaria cardamomum trees should only be grown outdoors. It also requires a fairly distributed annual rainfall of 150-300 cm. It can grow up to heights of 10’ or more with the tall stems usually producing long, alternate leaves. They reach heights of ten feet or more by the third year.

For getting the best yield cardamom plants should be fertilized with mineral potassium and phosphorus. Cardamom may flower 3 years after planting and the rhizomes can live for decades with good care

Landscape Uses

Cassia javanica is used for borders, ornamental landscaping and as avenue plants.