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6 Tips On How To Prune Curry Leaf Plant

Curry leaf plant, also known as Murraya koenigii, has been used as a spice in India for centuries. The plant is native to Sri Lanka and India and is traditionally used in cooking.

It is also called curry leaves, Kari Patta or kadipatta in India. It belongs to the family of Apiaceae and has aromatic leaves that are used as a spice in Indian cuisine.

The curry leaf plant needs to be pruned regularly to keep it healthy and productive. It is used in many recipes, so knowing how to grow and prune this plant well is important. Here is an ultimate guide on how to prune curry leaf plant.

How To Prune Curry Leaf Plant
Got some help pruning a curry leaf tree! via Reddit

Curry Leaf Plant Care Points

Curry leaf plants are very easy to care for. They require little water, but it is important to prune them at least once a year to maintain their shape and health. Here are all the requirements of the curry leaf plant in detail.

Type Of Soil

As for the soil, where to plant curry leaf plants, sandy soils with a good drainage capacity work best.

Watering

Curry leaf plants do not require much water to begin with or survive. However, it is not resistant to drought and therefore needs proper irrigation. When the soil at the base of the plant becomes dry, please give it a good watering and then only water it intermittently (depending on weather conditions).

Plenty Of Sunlight

Curry leaf plants like the sun, so try to find a sunny spot when you plant them. If done in a pot, put them in a window that faces south if north is your hemisphere.

Low Temperature

Curry leaf plants originate from the tropical regions of India. They can’t bear the cold and need to be kept above 4ºC.

Fertilization

Fertilization will significantly vary whether curry leaf plants are in the ground or pots. You should apply fertilizers in the dry soil to make the absorption quicker and easier. The need for fertilizers increases if the plant is in the pot.

Diseases And Infestations

Curry leaf plants are healthy & resilient. But the mealybug is probably one of the more common pests that attack it. And if there’s too much water, root rot will start to develop.

Pruning

Pruning is among one of the basic requirements of this evergreen plant. Let’s look at this aspect in detail below.

Why Is Pruning Curry Leaf Plant Important?

Curry leaf plants are very easy to care for. They require little water, but it is important to prune them at least once a year to maintain their shape and health. Pruning curry leaf plant is important for a few reasons:

  • The plant can grow up to 3 feet tall, so it will need to be pruned to maintain that height.
  • Pruning also helps the plant stay away from diseases by cutting off dead branches, reducing the risk of diseases and improving air circulation.
  • Pruning removes dead and dying branches and stubs.
  • It allows room for new growth.
  • It protects your house and passerby from harm.
  • Furthermore, it prevents your curry leaf plant from pests and animal infestation.
  • It keeps your plant looking good and fresh.
How To Prune Curry Leaf Plant 2
Curry Leaf Trees via Wikimedia

6 Tips On How To Prune Curry Leaf Plant

Pruning is referred to as the process of removing dead, damaged, diseased, or crossing branches of a plant to improve its health and appearance.

It is cutting or culling away dead, overgrown, and unhealthy branches of a tree to improve productivity. It is usually done to reduce crowding where too many branches are close together.

It will allow more light into the tree’s interior parts and give it more space for new growth. Curry leaf plant needs a lot of care and attention, but it can be a manageable plant with some simple pruning. Here are quick 5 tips that will let you know how to prune curry leaf plants.

Tools You Need For Pruning

It is recommended to use clean and sterilized tools to prune your curry leaf plants. Caution with sharp tools is necessary, and make sure there are no pets or kids around when you are about to start your pruning job. Let’s see what we need in pruning this famous herbaceous plant.

Disinfection before and after each pruning is crucial to keep your plant from pests and diseases contagion from one plant to the other.

  • Take medium-sized gardening shears. You don’t need a big-sized pruner as this plant has an average height. A manual pruning shear would suffice.
  • In contrast, if you prune your curry leaf plant grown in the ground, you might need long shears. Take one that better fits your size and ease.

Let’s move to our tips!

1.     Best Time To Prune Curry Leaf Plant

The best time to prune the curry leaf plant is in late winter or early spring when making new shoots. The wrong time to prune the curry leaf plant is during summer or autumn, as this can disturb its natural growth cycle and may impair its ability to flower in winter.

The best time to prune this plant is early in its growing stage. The average height of the curry leaf plant is around 12 inches, and we recommend leaving 3-5 inches from the top and trimming it there.

2.     Make A Sharp Cut

A sharp cut with sharp pruning shears is necessary, so the branch doesn’t have any tears or holes that trap dirt, water & germs.

3.     Remove Old Leaves And Weak Growths

Start by pruning back old leaves and weak growth stems. Cut the thin shoots from the base and leafless stems to enhance stronger growth.

4.     Right Angle

The cuts should be at an angle of 45°. It helps the top of the stem to shrug off the water.

5.     Remove Thick Branches

Cut thick branches by ½ to 1/3 of the length to keep your plant looking better, and air can circulate easily among the branches.

6.     Apply Fertilizer

Give fertilizer to your curry leave plants after pruning to promote fine growth. Must consider the following points while fertilizing your plant:

  • If your curry leaf plant is in a pot, then apply the fertilizer at the rim of the pot.
  • If it is in the ground, then sprinkling fertilizer on the plant’s canopy would be the best option.
  • Applying fertilizer every 3rd to 4th week is necessary to promote plant growth.

Benefits of Curry leaf Plant

Curry leaves are a wonderful herb that is used in Indian cuisine. It is known to have many health benefits such as:

  • Curry leaves are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K.
  • They also contain minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium.
  • It can help with digestion and reduce gas
  • It can lower blood sugar levels

Conclusion

Curry leaf plants are cool, fragrant little plants that are easy to grow. Now that you know the various health benefits of this plant, you must be planning to buy one. If you already have one in your yard, find your answer on how to prune curry leaf plants.

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