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Bergera koenigii

curry tree

An evergreen, tropical to subtropical tree growing 4.5m (15ft) high and 3m (10ft across in its native habitat. The leaves are pinnate, having up to 10 pairs of leaflets along a central midrib. They are pungently aromatic, and used as an important flavouring in Indian cuisine. The terminal panicles of white, star-shaped flowers are sweetly fragrant and produced in flushes throughout the year, followed by clusters of red berries. Suitable only for growing as an indoor plant, or overwintered in a cool conservatory in frost-prone climates; but may be placed outdoors in summer to benefit from the extra light and humidity there.

Other common names

curry leaf
curry leaf tree
see morekarapincha

Synonyms

Murraya koenigii

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Plant nurseries
3 suppliers

Ultimate height

4–8 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

2.5–4 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Rutaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in an acidic to neutral, moisture-retentive, well drained compost and a position in full sun or partial shade, in a conservatory, greenhouse, or as a houseplant indoors in the UK

Propagation

Propate by seed, or by semi-ripe cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to red spider mite, scale insects and mealy bug

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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