Fascinating False Cardamom

The False Cardamom is a fascinating plant. It has two species that are almost impossible to distinguish called Alpina Mutica and Alpinia Nutans. However, the care for either is the same so we can actually treat them as the same. They are a wonderful evergreen shrub from the ginger family and are lovely to fill in spaced and in hedges.

They look similar to canna but need very little care apart from regular feeding, cleaning up, and watering. It is a pleasure to deadhead or prune these as they exude a delightful fragrance when they are cut. They do flower in spring in the Gulf around the April timeframe. Though mine has not this year, perhaps because it was heavily pruned a little later than usual.

False cardamom adapts easily but does best in rich well-draining soils. It does need less water in the winter to avoid fungus etc. Do sprinkle cinnamon in the soil to avoid this and avoid ants that bring the mealy bugs. I keep it in shade in peak summer but can take full Sun until April when the rich green foliage looks absolutely stunning. I also have True cardamom which is not as fragrant but don’t have enough experience with it yet to post. Perhaps next year I should be able to talk about it. It is propagated by separating tubers very much like Canna. As it grows wild very quickly make sure you put it in a slightly larger pot than it currently needs. I have not yet seen seeds though. Also, this is an edible plant and can be used in adding flavor to chai and in curries and stirfries. It is also used in potpourris for the mild delicate fragrance.

However, in the summer in the Gulf, it looks really awful with dried edges and brown leaves but bounces back in October with bright green foliage. They need extra feeding to flower so apply a potassium-rich fertilizer after October. They do best in USDA zones 9-11.