CARDAMOM
COMMON NAMES: Cardamom, cardamon, cardamum, green cardamom, true cardamom
BOTANICAL NAME: Elettaria cardamomum
FAMILY: Zingiberaceae
Plant Type: Herbaceous, perennial
Size: 6 – 15 ft. tall, 4 – 10 ft. wide outdoors, 2 – 4 ft. tall indoors
Sun Exposure: Partial to full shade
Soil Type: Well prepared soil, the more acidic the better
Bloom Time: Spring
Flower Color: White, yellow
Hardiness Zone: 10-12 (USDA)
Native Area: Asia
Cardamom is in the ginger family and is commonly grown for seeds that are used as a pungent, aromatic spice. It is a herbaceous perennial grows from thick, knobby underground rhizomes to produce an evergreen plant with erect, 6 to 15 cane-like stems with glossy, 24-inch, lance-shaped, dark green leaves.
Harvest by hand when the seed pod begins to split or pulls away easily from the plant.
Plant cardamom outdoors when temperatures reach at least 70F, depending on your region. Leafless flowering stems emerge from the soil in spring to form 2″ yellowish-white flowers. The blooms are reminiscent of orchids, with lilac-purple veins and pink or yellow margins.
Flowers and stems are not scented but will produce pale yellowish-green 3/4″ fruit pods. The pods contain 15 to 20 aromatic black to reddish-brown seeds, commonly used in Asian, Middle Eastern, and Scandinavian dishes and drinks.
Flowers will only grow and produce fruit in warm conditions.
If planting outdoors, plant your seeds 1/2 – 1″ apart, about 1/8″ deep, in a partially shady place. Alternatively, plant cardamom seeds in pots to bring plants indoors to overwinter. Staking is only needed for young plants if heavy rains or floods are expected, potentially washing the plants away. Water regularly but do not overwater. Mist foliage regularly. These plants do best in sites where conditions are stable year-round, without much change in the climate, soil moisture, or natural light exposure.
Flowers and fruits will only grow in warm conditions. Plant growth will suffer most dramatically if temperatures reach below 50F degrees. Feed with organic fertilizer monthly and spray foliage with Garrett Juice every two weeks. The best way to harvest this plant is to hand-pick each seed pod or fruit. Harvest when the seed pod begins to split or pulls away easily from the plant.
Cardamom is a primary ingredient in curry powder, and is great on lamb.
Cardamom is a primary ingredient in curry powder, cardamom flavor rice, meat, vegetables, liquors, and ice cream. In addition to culinary uses, cardamom is also used in cosmetics and perfumery.