How to Grow
Curry Leaf Plant (Kadi Patta) - Facts, Benefits, Care & How To Grow
Curry leaves are extremely popular all over India for their unique aroma. Along with asafetida, cumin seeds, red chilies, and mustard seeds, curry leaves are the primary ingredients to jazz up any dish.
Curry leaves are popular for their medicinal properties in addition to their culinary uses.
It is a rich source of antioxidants that take care of heart health, promote hair growth, and are good for the eyes.
Curry leaf plants are fuss-free, low-maintenance plants. You can grow it easily in your backyard, kitchen window, terrace garden, or balcony with minimal care.
There are many other unexplored aspects of curry leaves. And today, in this blog, we will learn the following:
- Interesting facts about Kadi Patta or Curry Leaves
- Amazing health benefits of Kadi Patta
- How to care for the curry leaf plant
- How to grow curry leaf plant at home easily
So let’s get started, then.
Interesting facts about Kadi Patta or Curry Leaves
- The curry tree, Murraya koenigii or Bergera koenigii, is a tropical and sub-tropical tree in the family Rutaceae. This family also includes rue, citrus, and satinwood.
- This plant is native to Asia
- Kadi Patta is sometimes called sweet neem
- Curry leaves are tiny in size, long, slender, oval, and pointed at one end. They have a length of 2-4 cm and a width of 1-2 cm.
- One branch of the curry leaf plant can hold up to twenty tightly clustered leaves
- Curry leaves are quite popular in Ayurveda. They are renowned for treating a number of stomach issues.
Amazing health benefits of Kadi Patta
Curry leaves are a great source of minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron, and other elements like carbs and proteins. Vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, etc. are also included in them. So, including kadi patta in your diet is essential. Here is a list of the health benefits of kadi patta: -
Effective for weight loss
Curry leaves contain alkaloids that support the maintenance of healthy cholesterol levels in the body. Additionally, Kadi Patta functions as a detoxifier, assisting our bodies in eliminating toxins and preventing the buildup of fat. As a result, it works well as a weight-loss aid.
Rich source of antioxidants
Antioxidants are abundant in curry leaves. They play a crucial role in avoiding disorders of the neurological system, cardiovascular system, kidneys, and other organ systems by shielding us from oxidative damage.
Reduces hair fall
You must have heard from your grandmother about how kadi patta impacts your hair. If boiled with coconut oil and applied to hair upon cooling, it prevents graying, prevents hair loss, boosts hair growth, and also prevents dandruff.
Reduced risk of heart disease
Kadi patta—yes, those small, aromatic leaves can help prevent oxidative damage, decrease cholesterol, and lower triglycerides. As a result, regular consumption of curry leaves reduces the risk factors for heart disease.
No morning sickness
Morning sickness, like nausea, can be effectively checked by curry leaves. Curry leaf tea is said to help pregnant women who suffer from morning sickness.
Good eye health
Because curry leaves are a good source of vitamin A, they are good for our eyes. They aid in maintaining clear vision and stop cataract growth.
No liver problems
As previously mentioned, antioxidants included in kadi patta protect our liver from oxidative stress-related damage. Curry leaves can be used to treat inflammation and infections of the liver. According to research, kadi patta is quite effective at treating liver cirrhosis.
Treating wounded skin
Do you know that curry leaves are helpful in treating your skin-related problems? If applied topically, it has a soothing effect on mild burns, bruises, and eruptions on the skin. They also protect our skin from other infections.
May treat anemia
Iron and folic acid are both present in sufficient quantities in curry leaves, which are crucial for raising the body's iron levels. Therefore, it is suggested that anemia sufferers regularly eat curry leaves.
How to care for a curry leaf plant
A curry leaf plant requires little maintenance. Just remember to do the following:
Soil
The Kadi Patta grows healthily on red sandy loam soil with sufficient drainage. It gives better leaf yield.
Water
First, check the soil, and if it feels dry to your hands, water the Kadi Patta plant with a watering can until water drips out of the drainage holes. Water the plant every two to three days during the summer, and just once a week during the fall.
Fertilizer
In general, Kadi Patta or curry leaves do not require fertiliser feedings on a regular basis. But you may use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer once every month or two for better growth.
Temperature
For kadi patta, the optimal temperature range is between 26 and 37 degrees Celsius.
Sunlight
Curry leaves love the sun. They grow best in a tropical or subtropical area with lots of sunshine. For optimal growth, it requires 6 to 8 hours per day in direct sunlight.
Location
A bright, sunny spot in your balcony, terrace, or garden would be the best location to grow a curry leaf plant. A south-facing window would be great.
Pruning
Pruning is essential to maintaining a manageable height and promoting healthy growth. You can prune a curry leaf plant once a year. In order to do that, you must inspect the plant in the spring and look for any tall, vertical growths that don't have many leaves. Take gardening snips to remove the top 3 inches just below one of the nodes where the leaves connect. Cut at a 45 degree angle and remove any stems that are damaged, withered, or weak as well.
How to grow curry leaf plant at home easily
Growing a curry leaf plant is an easy process, and it won’t take much of your time. Just follow the steps mentioned below and be the proud owner of a curry leaf plant.
- Fill a 6-inch pot with a mixture of 40% compost and 60% potting soil. Mix the soil and compost together completely until they are well-combined. It is advised that you use store-bought potting soil as opposed to your backyard dirt to prevent any unwanted bacteria.
- For the following step, purchase fresh curry seeds. By rubbing the seeds, between your palms, you may get rid of the tough outer shells. Put the seeds in a plastic bag and roll a rolling pin over them if that doesn't work.
- To remove the seed from fresh berries, soak them in water for 24 hours. After soaking, rub off the flesh and pulp that surround the seed.
- Now place the curry leaf plant seed in the potting soil mixture about half an inch deep. Cover once more with soil mix.
- As an alternative, you may also take a fresh stem cutting from a sizable curry leaf plant and insert it about a half-inch deep into this potting soil mixture. The stem must have two to three healthy leaves.
- Now you have to water this plant adequately. You are suggested to use a watering can to moisten the soil for a gentle pour of water. Wait some time for the soil to absorb the water sitting on top before adding more. You have to keep watering until water starts dripping from the drainage holes.
- Use a shallow container to keep the pot inside so the soil can absorb any water that drains out from the bottom. Keep in mind that if you water the seeds too much, they might not sprout or grow properly.
- Place this pot in a well-lit, sunny area where it will get enough light for 6–8 hours per day
- You will notice fresh leaves emerging from the ground in approximately a week
- But you must wait for 1-2 years to pluck any leaves. This is due to the fact that young curry leaf plants do not have enough leaves to harvest and sustain growth. If you have planted the curry leaf plant from a stem cutting, then it is ready for harvest after a few months.
You won’t find a better plant that can grow so easily in your home or garden. Plus, you don’t have to buy kadi patta anymore from grocery stores. You can simply pluck some leaves while cooking. So, grow your own curry leaf plant, taking cues from our blog.
FAQ about curry leaves
Can I grow a curry plant where the winters are cold?
Since the curry plant, or curry tree, is a tropical and subtropical tree, it needs a warmer climate to survive. Keep your Kadi Patta plant indoors and away from harsh weather if you live in a cold climate. Keep in mind that this plant is killed by the frost and extremely low temperatures.
Can curry leaves grow indoors?
Yes, you can grow curry leaf plants indoors as long as you give them 6 to 8 hours a day of bright sunlight. To easily grow kadi patta indoors, get a medium-sized pot with sufficient drainage holes and fill it with a mixture of potting soil (60%) and compost (40%).
How do you take care of a curry leaf plant?
Curry leaf plant is generally a low-maintenance plant. Your plant will grow if you plant it in a pot with good drainage holes, keep it in a sunny location, and water it as needed when the soil is dry.
Does the curry leaf plant require direct sunlight?
Yes, the curry leaf plant thrives well under bright sunlight. At most, there can be partial shade, but not more than that.
Can curry leaves grow in pots?
Yes. Curry leaves grow best in pots. Just select a compost-mixed, well-drained soil. Additionally, choose a pot with obvious drainage holes.
What is the best fertilizer for curry leaf plants?
The kadi patta plant does not require much fertilizer in general. For better leaves, though, you can apply blood meal in the spring, followed by seaweed or fish fertilizer every month. Curry leaf plants also benefit greatly from homemade fertilizers such rice water, eggshells, buttermilk, etc.
What is the best time to grow curry leaves?
Curry leaf plants can be grown at any time of year, but the best times to plant are during the monsoon and winter.
