Choti Elaichi, Green Cardamom - Plant

Cardamom, Elaichi, Velchi - PlantIn semi-tropical or temperate climates, this plant should be grown indoors in a heated greenhouse or in a warm shady humid place (hot steamy bathrooms are excellent). Plants will not flower or fruit when grown outdoors in semi-tropical or temperate conditions or indoors in pots.

Plant Specifications

• Plant Height: 24 inch (61 cm)
• Plant Spread: 6 inch (15 cm)

*above specification are indicative only. actual dimensions may vary by +-10%

• Common Name: Elettaria cardamomum
• Maximum Reachable Height: 5 foot - 10 foot
• Flower Colour: yellow or red
• Bloom Time: April to May
• Difficulty Level: easy to grow

Planting and care

To sow, the smaller seeds should be sown in a light but rich starting medium buried shallowly beneath the surface of the soilCardamom requires steady supply of moisture and will not tolerate drought. If growing in a greenhouse, it should be kept humid and maintained carefully. Cardamom is not tolerant of cold, but should be kept in a location with many hours of partially occluded sunlight. Cardamom requires approximately 3 years of growth to produce capsules containing seeds. After the flowers mature, they will gradually dry out as capsule develops. These can be collected when capsules begin to turn green, and later dried on screens over the course of 6-7 days. Turn frequently. Choti Elaichi careCardamom (Elettaria cardammommum) is a perennial plant. It has rigid and erect aromatic leaves, which forms the aerial part of the plants stems. These stems are between 2 to 4 meters high and forms a canopy of leaves around the plant.
You can propagate cardamom from seeds. You can try seeds you get from glossary store but those seeds are generally treated and not fresh. For best results buy seeds from seed store or online.

• Sunlight: Steady, low intensity
• Watering: Medium
• Soil: Rich, mildly acidic, loamy
• Temperature: 20 C and above
• Fertilizer: Rich, mildly acidic, loamy

Choti Elaichi special featureSpice for tropical areas. Otherwise primarily grown ornamentally (fragrant and attractive leaves) in homes or greenhouses where flowers/fruits are unlikely to appear.

Choti Elaichi uses

Ornamental Use:
The plant is used for ornamental purpose
Culinary Use:
Used in almost all Indian dishes