About
An evergreen perennial with thick rhizomes producing upright shoots bearing long, narrow, dark green leaves. In summer, shoots spreading from the base carry white, orchid-like flowers with purple, yellow or pink markings, followed by small, aromatic, pale green pods (cardamom)
About the genus
Elettaria are evergreen, rhizomatous perennials with erect, reed-like stems with two ranks of linear to lance-shaped leaves. Separate, horizontal flowering shoots bear three-petalled flowers followed by spherical or ellipsoid seed capsules
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesSub-tropical
Native toIndia
FragranceFruit
Care notes
CultivationRequires tropical conditions to fruit well, but can make a good foliage plant under glass. Grow in fertile, peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added leaf mould or granulated bark in bright, filtered light with high humidity. Pot on in spring
PruningRemove flowered stems in spring
PropagationPropagate by seed sown with heat as soon as ripe, or by division
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free but may be susceptible to thrips
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free but may be suscepible to a virus