Alpinia nutans Dwarf Cardomom/Cardamom Leaf
Description
Alpinia nutans, commonly known as Dwarf Cardamom or Cardamom Leaf, is a tropical, evergreen perennial known for its aromatic leaves and attractive foliage. It forms a dense clump of lush, green leaves, making it an excellent choice for adding texture and fragrance to gardens and landscapes.
Flowers
The flowers of Alpinia nutans are small, white, and fragrant, appearing in clusters on short stalks. Each flower is orchid-like with a yellow and red center. The flowers are followed by small, inedible fruits.
Foliage
The foliage is the main ornamental feature of this plant. The leaves are long, lance-shaped, and glossy green, with a distinctive aromatic scent reminiscent of cardamom. Each leaf can grow up to 30-60 cm long and 5-10 cm wide.
Fruit
The fruit of Alpinia nutans is small and inedible, usually appearing after the flowering period. The plant is primarily grown for its foliage rather than its fruit.
Form and Size
Alpinia nutans forms a dense, clumping habit, typically growing to a height of 0.6-1.2 meters and a spread of 0.6-1 meter. It has an upright, bushy growth habit, making it suitable for borders and container planting.
Growing Conditions
- Soil: Prefers well-drained, rich, organic soil. It can tolerate a range of soil types but thrives in moist, fertile conditions.
- Sunlight: Grows best in partial shade to full shade. It can tolerate some morning sun but should be protected from harsh afternoon sun.
- Water: Requires regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. More frequent watering is needed during dry periods.
- Climate: Suitable for tropical and subtropical climates. It is frost-sensitive and should be protected from cold temperatures.
Uses
- Landscaping: Ideal for tropical-themed gardens, shaded borders, and as a groundcover. It can also be used in containers for patios and balconies.
- Fragrance: The aromatic leaves can be used in cooking or as a natural air freshener when crushed.
- Ornamental: The lush, green foliage provides year-round visual interest and enhances garden aesthetics.
Maintenance
- Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Remove any yellow or damaged leaves to maintain appearance.
- Fertilizing: Benefits from regular applications of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer during the growing season.
- Pest and Disease: Generally pest-resistant but can be susceptible to spider mites and aphids. Ensure good air circulation to minimize disease risk.
Notes
Alpinia nutans is a low-maintenance plant that adds a touch of the tropics to any garden or indoor space. Its aromatic foliage and compact size make it a favorite among plant enthusiasts and gardeners.
Companion Plants
- Spathiphyllum spp. (Peace Lily)
- Calathea spp. (Calathea)
- Philodendron hederaceum (Heartleaf Philodendron)
- Asplenium nidus (Bird's Nest Fern
Common Name
Dwarf Cardamom, Cardamom Leaf
Botanical Name
Alpinia nutans
Family
Zingiberaceae
Origin
Native to Southeast Asia
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Please note that all Plants on this site are a range of plants we grow through out the year.
Availability changes all through out the year. please check with us via our Sunshine Coast Garden Centre page for Pricing & Availability
Product Availability
Plants & Pots come and go all year around.
- Plants are seasonal and sometimes we run out but have more batches coming along.
- Some Plants are not always in-stock however we can either order it in. pending availability
- Available numbers change every hour of the day in store and where we grow so please check in with us on how many you are looking for
- we have access to thousands of plants. if you are looking for a specific plant please let us know and we will see if its coming into stock soon or if we can order it for you.
- we will sometimes keep plants on our website to show you the description of how it grows and its specific characteristics. they may not be in stock all the time however we will keep it up online so when it comes in we wont have to reload products
Where are our plants Grown and how do we grow them
- Plants are grown locally on the Sunshine Coast
- All outdoor plants are sun hardened and ready to grow
- Indoor plants are grown under 50% Shade and will transfer perfectly to indoor use
- Orchids are also grown under 50% Shade and are best brought indoors during flowering for show then returned back into a shaded area until the following flowering time
- we are Qualified horticulturists, greenkeeper as well as Qualified landscape Construction with over 35 years experience in the industry. We use Quality products and materials to grow all our plants.
How to Look after your plants like we do
- When using any Garden Care products or Fertilisers we always recommend reading the label before use
- We recommend using Earthlife crushed rock mineral on all plants when planting in the ground or in Pots.
- When planting in Pots in Our garden centre we use either Rocky Point Premium Potting mix or our own custom potting mixes blend to plant all our plants
- If planting in the ground we also recommend that you use good quality Bagged garden soil around your plants at the time of planting
