Log in

View Full Version : Cardamons - how hardy are they


xyzzy
01-27-2009, 06:18 AM
Hi,

I bought a plant named as Amomum cardamomum from a dodgy DIY shop garden centre.

It looks like a ginger, but the recent unexpected frost of -9 degrees C has killed all the leaves and stems of all my other types of gingers.

The plant sold as Amomum cardamomum has gone through totally unscathed and still has it's leaves.

Any ideas what it really might be?

paradisi
02-08-2009, 10:31 PM
cardamom is tropical so should die in frosts

I bought a "cardamom" in Australia from an up till then reputable nursery and it turned out to be a posionous and very invasive type of ginger - that took two years to eventually kill off

I'd stick to a reputable retailer or nursery to try and get a true cardamom - otherwise you could end up poisoning yourself

Steve L
02-09-2009, 10:59 AM
The ginger Alpinia Nutans has frequently been confused with Amomum Cardamomum. It is a foliage plant growing 3 to 4 feet. It almost never blooms. (Mine bloomed for the first time in 10 years last year). The leaves are spice scented when rubbed. It is hardy to zone 7. Shade plant. I bet you 10 bucks that's your plant. I thought I had a picture in my gallery but don't see it. I'll check my Photobucket account later.

Steve

xyzzy
02-09-2009, 11:08 AM
I could be. It does seem to thrive in shade, but will tolerate sun too, and drought.