Curry herb is not very well known in this country. We summarize everything you need to know about curry herb for you.
The curry herb (Helichrysum italicum) belongs to the daisy family (Asteraceae) and the name of this herb says it all: thanks to the essential oils, the needle-shaped leaves of the daisy family provide a distinctive scent that is reminiscent of the famous curry powder spice mixture. However, the curry herb itself is not included in the spice mixture of the same name. Especially after a rain shower, the smell of the curry herb is particularly intense. The daisy family has its origins in the Mediterranean region. Its natural range extends from southern Europe, across the Bosporus to the north and west of Africa. Here in Central Europe, the perennial herb has not been known for too long. It has great ornamental value due to its silvery-grey leaves and yellow flowers that adorn it from June to September. In addition to the spice that the curry herb brings to the kitchen, it can even be useful as a medicinal herb. We will show you here how this easy-care herb thrives best in your own garden!
Synonyms: Italian helichrysum
Curry herb: Cultivation in your own garden
Location
Curry herb - also known as Italian helichrysum - likes it sunny. Therefore, it also prefers a sunny to full sun location. Its demands on the soil are very low. The herb also grows without any problems on soil with a low humus content - as long as it has good water supply. Waterlogging should be avoided when cultivating the curry herb. If the soil in your own garden is too loamy and therefore too waterlogged, you can help with the incorporation of sand. Well-drained herb soil such as our peat-free Plantura organic herb and seed soil is ideal.
Basically, curry herb can also be cultivated in pots. But you should choose the vessel large enough. The evergreen shrub grows very bushy and reaches a height of up to 70 cm. Accordingly, it must be well supplied with water and nutrients. That is with a larger vessel volume atCultivation in a pot is usually easier, more pleasant and more promising at the same time. Do you now want to plant curry herb in your garden? Then check out our guide to growing curry herb!
Proliferate
In the trade, ready-made curry herbs are usually offered. Occasionally, however, you can also find seeds to propagate the spicy curry herb yourself. As with many Mediterranean herbs, it is also a good idea for the curry herb to grow young plants in a warm place on a light windowsill from mid-February. Conditions with lots of light and at least 18 °C are ideal for the light germinator. It takes about 10 to 14 days for the first seedlings to appear. But the young plants should only be placed in the bed after the ice saints in mid-May, as soon as there is no longer any threat of frost. In the meantime, the dainty seedlings are separated and pricked out - this ensures that the plants grow stronger and more beautiful. The Italian helichrysum can also be propagated from cuttings in summer. The shoots used as cuttings must not have any flowers or flower buds. This would reduce rooting success. It takes about four weeks for the cuttings to take root.
Watering and fertilizing
The watering requirements of the curry herb also reflect its Mediterranean roots. So it can survive longer periods of drought with sparing watering. Especially when growing in a pot, however, care must be taken to ensure that the root ball of the herb does not become too dry. Watering should be done especially on hot days - preferably in the morning or evening hours and watering a little more often than flooding half the garden with a single watering. Waterlogging should also be avoided in any case.
If the curry herb is only grown once a year, it gets through the year very well without additional fertilizers. However, if the herb is to be overwintered, extra nutrients must be provided. If the Italian helichrysum finds a place in the bed again in the second year of cultivation after the winter, it is advisable to work some primarily organic organic fertilizer such as our Plantura organic universal fertilizer into the soil when preparing the plant bed. In pot culture, too, it makes sense to repot the herb in spring and treat it with a load of fresh substrate mixed with organic universal fertilizer. This is for themsufficient supply of the curry herb completely sufficient.
Care for and wintering
The curry herb is more or less hardy. But you should play it safe and bring the daisy family through the winter protected from frost. Potted plants are best placed in a frost-free but bright spot. A conservatory would be ideal. Specimens in the bed can simply be covered with scions, leaves or fleece to protect them.
You can find more about proper care under Caring for curry herb: watering, cutting, overwintering.
Curry herb: species and subspecies
The variety of curry herbs is virtually non-existent. The herb is simply still too unknown, so that it is not yet worthwhile for breeders to take on the Italian helichrysum in laborious breeding work. However, Helichrysum italicum belongs to a genus with more than 600 species. In addition, six subspecies bring a bit of natural variation to the world of curry herb.
- Helichrysum italicum subsp. italicum: common curry herb found throughout its natural range.
- Helichrysum italicum subsp. microphyllum: Mircophyllum means small-leaved; accordingly a subspecies that stands out because of its particularly small, needle-shaped leaves.
- Helichrysum italicum subsp. serotinum: so-called dwarf curry; Subspecies that make good bonsai plants.
The top three subspecies are well known and can be found in specialist shops - mostly as plants. Less known and less common are the three subspecies Helichrysum italicum subsp. picardii, Helichrysum italicum subsp. pseudolitoreum and Helichrysum italicum subsp. siculum.
Curry herb: harvest and store correctly
Harvest
Of most interest are the leaves of the curry herb, which contain high levels of essential oils. These are best harvested by cutting off whole shoots. This also replaces the topiary, because the curry herb is a subshrub that is woody in the lower part, so it has to be cut regularly. This prevents the woody part of the plant, where there are no more spicy leaves, from becoming too thick. To get the best yield in essential oil intensity, one should be harvested before the debilitating bloom. For a cold soothing tea, however, you canthe flowers of the Italian helichrysum may also be of interest. These are then harvested before they dry up.
Store
Of course, herbs are best used freshly harvested. But even in autumn and winter you don't want to do without the spices from your own garden. It's the same with the curry herb, which can be perfectly preserved in terms of taste and aroma.
- Dry curry herb: this method of preservation is not recommended. Too many essential oils are lost through the drying process.
- Freeze curry herb: Freezing the Italian helichrysum can be made to last longer. However, the leaves should be frozen whole on the shoot and not chopped up first.
- Preserve curry herb: Curry herb can also be preserved in oil and then gives off its flavor to the oil. The whole branches are used here as well.
Curry herb: ingredients and how to use it in the kitchen
The curry herb owes its name to the taste reminiscent of curry powder. The herb itself is not part of the famous spice mixture of turmeric, coriander, cumin and pepper. However, the herb is just as versatile in the kitchen with rice and pasta dishes or meat dishes with lamb or poultry. The needle-like leaves can be chopped up or cooked on the shoots. The whole shoots should be removed before consumption. If they are eaten, it can lead to stomach problems. The disadvantage of chopping the leaves is that a bitter taste quickly sets in. That's why you freeze the whole shoots and don't chop them first.
The ancient Greeks and Romans already knew about the healing power of the curry herb. And even today, the Italian helichrysum is still used to heal wounds, as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent or for skin problems. Blossoms of the curry herb infused as tea are beneficial for colds. Pure oil from the curry herb - so-called immortelle oil - can be obtained by distillation, which can be rubbed into bruises and sprains. However, the oil must not be consumed under any circumstances, as this can lead to symptoms of poisoning. Otherwise, however, the curry herb can be used without hesitation and isAlso safe for beloved four-legged friends such as cats, dogs and guinea pigs.