Green cardamom Elettaria cardamomum
Green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is an evergreen perennial herb in the Zingiberaceae family, native to Western Ghats of southern India. It grows 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) tall and 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) wide, wants shade and high water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
Plan Green cardamom in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Green cardamom at a glance
| Type | Perennial herb, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Zingiberaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Shade, at least 2 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 4.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 13–26 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: seed pods (spice), leaves (for wrapping) |
| Native to | Western Ghats of southern India |
| Common in gardens of | 🇮🇳 India, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇸🇬 Singapore |
Is Green cardamom toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Green cardamom
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade and high water.
Questions about Green cardamom
- How far apart should I plant Green cardamom?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft).
- Does Green cardamom need full sun?
- Shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Green cardamom need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Green cardamom?
- It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Green cardamom flower?
- From about April for 13–26 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Green cardamom poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Green cardamom?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Green cardamom. Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
Notes and assumptions
- Grows under forest shade; flower stalks creep along the ground. Rarely fruits outside the humid tropics.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Ginger Zingiber officinale
- Turmeric Curcuma longa
- Galangal Alpinia galanga
- Torch ginger Etlingera elatior
- Shell ginger Alpinia zerumbet
- Red ginger Alpinia purpurata
- Beehive ginger Zingiber spectabile
- Siam tulip Curcuma alismatifolia