Growing Curry Leaf Plant from Cuttings
- Snip off 8-10 inches long cutting from a healthy curry tree.
- Remove the bottom leaves, dip the end of the cutting in a rooting hormone, and plant it in a container filled with a potting mix.
- Water well, cover, and place the pot in the shade.
- After 10-15 days, you will notice the growth of new shoots.
- Once it starts to show good growth, acclimate the plant to a sunny area.
Growing Requirements of Curry Leaves
Sunlight
Make sure any building or tall tree is not obstructing the plant. If you plan to grow it indoors, opt for a south-west window.
Water the soil uniformly and deeply when the topsoil feels dry to touch. Avoid watering too much and never let the plant sit in soggy soil for too long.
Soil
Curry leaves plant prefers loose, aerated, well-draining, and slightly acidic soil for optimal growth. Though it can adapt well to any Indian soil, it should be planted in sandy, loamy soil amended with well-rotted manure or compost. For containers, a quality potting mix will do the trick.
Climate
The plant is well adapted to the subtropical climate of India; hence it can be grown easily. However, it doesn’t respond well to the freezing winters, especially if the temperature drops below 4 C. If you are growing it in containers in hilly areas, move the plant inside during the harsh winters.
Pot Size
The plant will do well in any medium-sized pot. Go for terracotta pots as they offer good air circulation in the roots, thanks to their porosity. Make sure that the pot has ample drainage holes to let the excess water out.
Curry Leaf Plant Care Tips
Fertilizer
You can feed the plant with a diluted balanced fertilizer once in 3-4 weeks. Homemade fertilizers like rice water, eggshells, buttermilk, or well-rotted cow manure also work well.
Re-Potting
If you are growing the plant in a container, re-pot it every 2-3 years, as the plant becomes root-bound. Go for 1-2 size bigger pot than the previous one and use fresh potting mix.
Source: India Gardening
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