Growing Curry Leaf Trees

Growing Murraya koenigii, or curry leaf trees, is relatively easy. Curry Leaf tree is a species of evergreen tree grown for its aromatic foliage, which is widely used in Indian cooking as well for health and medicinal benefits. The curry leaf plant is tropical to sub-tropical and produces small fragrant white flowers that become small, black, berry-like fruits. The fruit is edible, but the seed is poisonous and should be removed prior to use. The foliage is the real standout and is arranged alternately on the stem, pinnate and comprised of several leaflets. The aromatic scent is spicy and heady and best when the curry leaves are fresh.

How to grow Curry Leaf Trees from seed or berries

• Curry Leaf tree can be grown from the berries or from the actual seeds inside the berry.
• Growing Curry Leaf trees is done by either removing the seed from the berry or else you can just plant the berry itself in soil.
• Curry leaf seeds will germinate regardless if you plant the whole berry or if you instead remove the seed from the berry and then plant the seed.
• To remove the seed from the berry, score lengthwise around each curry leaf berry with a paring knife.
• Pull the berry in half to reveal the single large seed inside, which is pale green in color.
• Remove the seed and rinse it thoroughly in cool water to remove the sticky, sugary residue left by the berry.
• Sow the curry leaf seed immediately in a 4-inch plastic pots filled with fresh soil or seed-starting compost.
• Sow it at a depth equal to its diameter, which is roughly 1/3 inch. Cover the seed completely and firm the soil well.
• Place the pot in a warm, lightly shaded location with bright light.
• Cover the pot with clear plastic sheeting or a propagation dome to hold warmth and humidity around the curry leaf seed.
• Watch for signs of germination in six to eight weeks, but don’t be surprised if it takes several months for seedlings to emerge. Transfer the pot with emergent curry leaf seedlings to a warm, bright and sheltered location outdoors.
• Slowly acclimate the curry leaf seedlings to direct sun over the course of one to two weeks until they can stand full sun exposure for six hours without wilting or scalding. Grow them in full sun, applying 1 inch of water weekly for at least one year before transplanting them into the garden.
• Curry leaves can be grown indoors in pots. They can be grown in the balcony, on the terrace, backyard.
• Curry leaf can be cultivated in a wide range of soils. Red sandy loam soil is ideal for curry leaf cultivation.
• It can tolerate a temperature range up to 37°C. But below 16°C, its leaves growth is affected.
• The curry leaf tree should be grown in rich, well-drained soil in full sunlight or partial shade. It does well when developed in a pot.
• If it is grown outdoors, it must be located in an area that does not receive a lot of wind.
• During the winter season, curry plant’s leaves might turn yellow. This generally means that the plant is about to go dormant and might lose its’ leaves.

Maintaining Curry Leaf Trees

It is very important that you start pruning the curry leaf tree early in its growth stage. Plants that are older and have an open shape can be pruned early in the period just as growth starts and they will still flower later in the year. It is recommended to prune annually to keep plant tight, compact and producing the greatest amount of tasty foliage.

Leave about 3 to 4 inches from the top of the curry leaf tree, and prune it right there. Make sure you make a nice sharp cut for pruning. Within a few weeks, the plant will generate side shoots and fill out into numerous bushy stalks with pointed leaves. That is a sign that your curry leaf plants are healthy and thriving.

The plant must be irrigated at 3-day intervals if there are no rains. Be careful not to over-water your plants since it could make them weaker and they may not produce as many leaves. Put the plant in an area that gets full sun throughout the day, which should be around 6-8 hours daily.

If you are growing Curry Leaf trees in containers, then it is advisable to move the plants into new pots each year to promote healthy growth. Curry leaf plants continuously grow to fit the size of their container, so they need to switch pots every year.

Harvesting Curry Leaf Tree

• Curry leaves are picked or harvested 15 months after planting.  New curry leaf plants don’t have enough leaves to harvest and continue growing while they’re young, so wait until your plant is at least 1 year old.
• Don’t pull off the leaves individually since it leaves a lot of empty growth on the plant. Instead, look where the long stem that connects multiple leaves attaches to the main body of the plant. Grip the stem by its base and lightly pull it off the plant to collect all of the leaves attached to it.
• You can harvest up to 30% of the plant’s leaves. If you harvest more, the plant may not grow as well the following year.
• Leaves can be used fresh, dried or made into a powder for later use.