The Citrusy Tropical Tree That Will Thrive With Little Maintenance

Tropical climates are often associated with lush greenery and vibrant flowering plants. But if you garden in heat and humidity, you're undoubtedly familiar with the reality that growing plants in hot climates with strong sun can be difficult. In the tropics, it's best not to fight the heat and instead cultivate plants that thrive under a beating sun and don't wilt with high humidity. The good news for gardeners is that most tropical plants are low-maintenance and adaptable, and there are many varieties to choose from, including some common herbs.

If you are contemplating the perfect plants to grow if you live in a tropical environment, you should consider Bergera koenigii, formerly dubbed Murraya koenigii, or curry leaf. It's a small perennial tree whose citrus-flavored leaves have been used in Ayurvedic medicine and South Asian cuisine for centuries. Despite the name, curry leaf is not a typical component in curry powder, so you should not expect the same flavor profile. While the attractive and easy-going curry leaf makes a great houseplant, it also suits outdoor gardens in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 8 to 12. While this tree is considered low-maintenance, if you are planning on using its leaves in the kitchen, you'll need to master some tricks for pruning curry leaf for a thriving plant and bigger harvest.

Curry leaf, native to tropical parts of India and Sri Lanka, thrives in warmer areas. For the best results, plant it in a part of your garden that sees a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight, though the shrub can adapt to between four and six hours of direct sunlight or prolonged indirect sunlight. You can grow a curry leaf from seed, but the germination rate is low and successful seedlings take a long time to emerge. Planting a potted or bare-root sapling will likely provide a more satisfying gardening experience.

Make sure to plant your curry leaf four to five feet away from the nearest plant or structure, giving it the space it needs to grow into a low, bushy tree. While the shrub can grow 15 feet tall and spread 12 feet, you can keep it at a more manageable size with regular pruning. Curry leaf is not too picky about the type of soil it grows in, though it likes moist soil with a pH of 5.6 to 6.0. As with many other plants from tropical environments, it does not enjoy having its roots drenched. Plant it in an area of your garden with good drainage and water it regularly while being mindful of overwatering. Does the time of day matter when watering your plant? Not really, so long as you let the soil dry out between showers. Because young curry leaf plants attract pests like aphids and spider mites, keep an eye out for dark spots on the underside of the leaves.