The curry herb is still very unknown to many. We show what needs to be considered when growing the easy-care exotic spice.
At the Curry herb (Helichrysum italicum) the name says it all: It tastes and smells like the famous spice mixture of the same name. However, the curry herb is not part of the curry powder. The daisy family (Asteraceae) is also known in many places as the Italian straw flower. Since the herb is not yet very well known, there is hardly any variety on the market. However, six subspecies belong to it Helichrysum italicum, which brings some natural variety into play. In the kitchen the herb is used for dishes similar to the curry powder, but also as a It can be effective as an antibacterial medicinal plant and as a convalescent agent for colds and bruises be applied. Thanks to the silver-gray needle-shaped leaves and the golden yellow flowers, which you can look at from June to September, the curry herb expresses its right to a place in the Garden. We will show you what to consider when growing this easy-care all-rounder.
Growing curry herb - step by step
1. Location: As a Mediterranean herb, the curry herb has its origins in the Mediterranean region. Accordingly, it welcomes a sunny to full sun location. In addition to growing in the bed, the curry herb can also be cultivated in pots. The container should be big enough - the Italian straw flower can grow up to 70 cm and needs a correspondingly large root space. It is best to use a high-quality herbal soil as a substrate to avoid waterlogging. Our peat-free Plantura Organic herb & sowing soil is perfectly tailored to the needs of the curry herb. In the case of soil that is too heavy, such as clay soils, you can also work in sand to ensure better drainage. With savory, lavender, sage and thyme, the curry herb gets along very well as a neighbor in the bed.
2. Propagation: The curry herb is usually offered as a finished plant. However, if you want to raise your spicy pupil from the cradle, you can also find curry herb seeds in specialist shops. If you already have a specimen in the garden, the seeds for the Sowing curry herbs to be harvested. The sowing then takes place from February of the next year. On a light window sill in the house, the seeds germinate after 10 to 14 days at an average of 18 ° C. In mid-May, the young plants can then be planted outdoors or put outside in pots. In summer, the stock of curry herb plants can then be increased. Cuttings can be harvested and rooted. Non-lignified shoots without flowers promise the most success here. In the nursery box with high humidity, the rooting takes place after about four weeks.
3. Watering and fertilizing: As a Mediterranean herb, the Italian straw flower copes very well with drought and does not require too much water. But especially when growing in pots, you have to pay attention to the water supply. Especially on hot days, the curry herb must be watered regularly in the morning or evening. However, before the plant is generously flooded with plenty of water for a single watering for the next few days, it is more advisable to give a little less water several times. This protects the roots and causes less stress for the plant.
If the curry herb is overwintered, something mainly organic fertilizer like our Plantura should be used in the second year Organic universal fertilizer be incorporated into the soil to provide it with sufficient nutrients. Otherwise you can be very economical with top dressing. In winter there is no need to fertilize at all.
4. Cut: The curry herb is a perennial subshrub. That means that it is lignified in the lower part. So that this part of the plant, which no longer has aromatic leaves but is ugly bare, does not become too big, it should be cut regularly. With curry herbs, however, this can be done during the harvest if shoots are always removed up to the woody part. You can find more information about the necessary maintenance measures in our article "Maintain curry herb“.
5. Overwinter: The curry herb is considered to be relatively robust and hardy compared to other Mediterranean herbs, but a harsh winter can destroy the aromatic herb. Therefore, as a precaution, it should be protected from temperatures that are too frosty. Potted plants should be placed in a warm place, preferably in the slightly cooler, but particularly bright, winter garden. Specimens that have been planted in the bed can be covered with rice or winter fleece to get them safely through the winter.
6. To harvest: The leaves of the curry herb, which contain the flavoring essential oils, are best harvested by cutting whole shoots. This replaces the necessary shape cutting of the subshrub and also saves time compared to the laborious harvest of individual leaves. In order to achieve the highest possible content of the flavoring essential oils in the leaves, it should be harvested before flowering. However, by removing the flower buds, flowering can be delayed and the harvest time extended. Everything else about the Harvesting and storing curry herbs can be found in this special article.
7. To store: The curry herb is of course also best used freshly harvested. Nevertheless, there are also possibilities to extend the usability of the herb and thus have it available all year round. Here is an overview of how the individual preservation methods are suitable for the curry herb:
- Dry the curry herb: By drying the shoots, the curry herb loses too much of its essential oils and thus of its taste. Therefore, this method of preserving the herb is not recommended.
- Freeze curry herb: This method is very suitable for making curry herb usable for a longer period of time. Whole shoots and not finely chopped leaves should always be frozen. As soon as the leaves are chopped up, a rather bitter taste develops.
- Put in the curry herb: The whole shoots of the curry herb can also be soaked in oil. This then absorbs the essential oils of the spice and thus preserves its characteristic taste.
