Cardamom — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Elettaria cardamomum |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 20–40 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 23.9–29.4 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 730–1095 |
| Measured from | Transplant |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 91.4–152.4 |
| Mature height (cm) | 152.4–457.2 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 91.4–152.4 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 10–12 |
| Light | Shade |
| Water | High |
| Sowing method | Division |
Growing directions
Plant in moist, humus-rich, acidic, well-drained soil in partial to deep shade — cardamom naturally grows as an understory plant in the humid rainforests of southern India and is one of the world's most valuable spices after vanilla and saffron. The large, aromatic leaves are beautiful throughout the growing season; fragrant flowers are produced on separate ground-level stems and develop into the prized seed pods. Cardamom is only reliably hardy in zone 10–12 but makes an outstanding container plant in zone 8–9 that overwinters indoors. It requires high humidity, consistent moisture, and shade from afternoon sun — an excellent fit for the shaded, humid conditions of South Florida and the Gulf Coast. Harvest pods when they are pale green before they open.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0