Curry leaf tree

In South India, this is the most popular tree used as a flavouring in Madras curry. Many Indians have this tree in their garden as standard! Together with coriander, curry leaf gives many dishes an Indian character. Fresh or dried, experiment with this flavouring! With us, the plant can be kept in a pot and can go outside in summer. A single night frost is not disastrous (for an older plant). The small white flowers grow into black berries, which are edible: process them into jam, for example. From September-October, the plant must go inside or elsewhere to overwinter in a frost-free environment. Back outside from April.

Winter care:
Young plants need some time to establish their roots well and become stronger. The tree is part of the citrus family and its care is somewhat similar, although the curry leaf tree needs more warmth. The young plants must go inside as soon as the nights get colder than 10 degrees (older plants can better withstand the cold), place them in the sunniest spot that can be found in the house (south-facing window). The winter temperature may fluctuate between 10 degrees at night to about 20 degrees during the day. The plant needs high humidity. This can be achieved by filling a tray with water, placing a saucer upside down in it and placing the plant on top. The pot must not come into contact with the water and the tray must always be filled with water. The plants should be watered sparingly, but the soil must never dry out completely, Too much water at once cools the roots too much and inhibits growth. Do not fertilise again until the end of February, provided the plant is well into its leaves by then. Then start watering more again. It is possible that the plant loses its leaves in December or January, that is normal, it is not an evergreen tree. The new leaves usually appear on the plant again after a month.

Names:
Latin: Murraya koenigii, or also Bergera koenigii, Chalcas koenigii
Dutch: Curry leaf tree
Also known as: Bergera koenigii, Chalcas koenigii
English: Curry Tree