The blooms are reminiscent oforchids, with lilac-purple veins and pink or yellow margins.
The flowers and stems are not scented but will produce pale yellowish-green 3/4-inch fruit pods.
Plant outdoors when temperatures reach at least 70 F, depending on your region.
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The plants prefer rich, slightly acidic humus soil.
Hardy in USDA zones 10 through 12, this herbaceous perennial is also suitable for growing in containers.
Alternatively, plant cardamom seeds in a pot to bring the plant indoors to overwinter.
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Cardamom Plant Care
Light
Cardamom prefers part to full shade.
Avoid planting in direct sun.
Consider planting under tall trees in tropical conditions akin to its native rainforests.
Soil
Cardamom grows best in fertile, loam-based potting compost.
In the garden, it prefers acidic conditions (5.1-5.5 to 6.1-6.5).
Water
Mist cardamom frequently with rainwater; water regularly but do not overwater.
Plant growth will suffer most dramatically if temperatures reach below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
In semi-tropical or temperate climates, grow cardamom in a heated indoor greenhouse or a hot, steamy bathroom.
While flowers and fruit rarely grow indoors, cardamom can make a lovely houseplant.
Set the plant on a dish of consistently moist pebbles.
The houseplant will grow much smaller than outdoors, to a humble 2 to 4 feet tall.
Fertilizer
Give the plant organic, high-phosphorus fertilizer twice a month during the growing season.
Apply after heavy rain, never before.
Supplement with compost once a year.
Pollination
Bees and other flying insects commonly pollinate cardamom plants.
In places where bees are scarce, hand pollination is necessary.
However, timing is crucial since flowers only stay open for about one day.
Farmers use a small tool or brush to transfer pollen grains from the male anther to the female stigma.
Signs that fertilization was successful include the flower wilting and the ovary swelling.
With rich camphor or more menthol-like notes, black cardamom is best used in savory stews and curries.
Harvesting Cardamom
The best way to harvest this plant is to hand-pick each seed pod or fruit.
Harvest when the seed pod is beginning to split.
In the early 1900s, German coffee planter Oscar Majus Kloeffer introduced cardamom to Guatemala.
Until about 1980, India was the largest producer and exporter of cardamom until Guatemala took the lead.
Guatemala and Mexico now use it to flavor chewing gum.
In addition to culinary uses, cardamom is also used in cosmetics and perfumery.
These methods preserve the freshness and potency of cardamom longer.
Also, keep cardamom cool and dry, away from sunlight or heat sources.
How to Grow Cardamom in Pots
Cardamom grows well in pots.
Start seeds with very moist soil.
Plant them at least 1 inch apart.
Each plant needs a pot at least 1 foot deep and 6 inches wide.
If you plant multiple seeds in each 6-inch pot, only keep the strongest seedling and remove the others.
Ensure the container has ample drainage holes.
When grown indoors, the plant rarely grows past 4 feet tall unless grown in a greenhouse.
Propagating Cardamom
Propagate by dividing the rhizome root structure or by sowing seed.
Consider dividing every three years so the rhizome does not overgrow its container or plot.
Sow them as soon as you collect them from the plant.
Presoak cardamom seeds overnight before planting.
Plant the seeds in a warm, partially shady spot in loamy, rich soil.
Expect germination to take about 30 to 40 days.
However, cardamom grows from a rhizome that can grow large and be divided after three to four years.
Bathrooms are one of the best spots for cardamom plants.
The plant requires humidity, so keep the plant moist by misting, if necessary.
A cardamom plant’s average lifespan is 10 to 15 years.
A cardamom plant takes three years to mature and produce flowers and seeds.
Do not overwater; provide good drainage and give adequate humidity.
Keep the plant out of direct sunlight.
