Curry leaf plant issues

Glittering_M · June 2023

Hi,
I have a curry leaf plant (not a Curry plant) that I got a month or so ago online (albeit from a specialist grower). I've never had one before.

Unfortunately it doesn't seem too happy since being at home.Quite a few of its leaves have fallen off including this morning I noticed a whole branch. Most leaves are green but some are yellowing and it is a bit droopy.

I've been watering it with diluted homemade nettle 'tea' but only when it feels dry.

The instructions from the grower said it shouldn't need potting on until next year.

It normally lives on a south facing window.

Any help appreciated.

Fairygirl · June 2023

A south facing window is far too hot for any small plant just now. It'll be getting fried.

Pete.8 · June 2023

It's a plant I've sometimes considered buying as I'd love to be able to use fresh leaves, but even small ones are pricey.
I tried growing Holy Basil a few years ago from seed and that didn't go well.

Maybe someone on the forum grows them and can give advice from their experience, but from what I've read they should be treated in the same way as citrus and fed using a citrus feed - maybe there's something missing in your nettle feed that they require.

At this time of year it may be better outdoors but out of direct sun and bring indoors overnight unless temps are above 15c.
Coming from Southern India it's not easy to replicate the climate conditions they expect in the UK especially the intense humidity - but the way the climate is going, it may not be long..

You may have already come across these care instructions, but they seem quite comprehensive.
https://citruscentre.co.uk/pages/care-sheets#curry

I'll keep an eye on this thread in the hope you can crack it!
If you do, then I'll get one

Glittering_M · June 2023

Thank you. I should have added the window is partially shaded by trees/shrubs that are directly outside and come over and the window.

I got mine as a small plant from a company in the west country, I bought it on Ebay though so I could collect Nectar points. I think it was less than £25 but obviously an expensive purchase if it doesn't last!

The instructions it comes with say it doesn't like too much water and to feed it with a high nitrogen feed during the growing months. I did give it a bit of tomato feed on one watering but I was borrowing that as I don't have any of my own.

I had hoped to be able to make a Comfrey tea but my Comfrey that I grew from seed this year is tiny and only 1 germinated so I want it to grow.

My kaffir lime is on the same window sill and doing well, particularly since we've been giving it a citrus feed every few months.

That is interesting, I hadn't considered being able to use the same stuff for both plants.

Pete.8 · June 2023

Can you use rainwater for watering and feeding?
If your tap water is hard that maybe why it's not happy.

I wouldn't use a high-nitrogen feed either. Sure, it will make the leaves grow (that's the purpose of a high-nitrogen feed), the problem is if the roots of the plant aren't sufficient to support the leaves then the leaves will die and drop.
I'd only use a high-nitrogen feed on a lawn or something like lettuce.

I don't have any citrus, but Monty uses only seaweed extract for all his citrus plants.
I believe seaweed extract is one of the best tonics available for plants and would likely be ideal for your plant.
It used to be very cheap, but as it's gained in popularity so the price has shot up, but your little plant won't need much.
I'd suggest a half-strength feed with seaweed extract/rainwater once a week when it is actively growing and once a month over winter when light levels are very low - that is when it will really struggle - UK winters are very different to southern Indian winters.

If you can build some strength in your pant over the summer months that will help it survive over winter.

Curry leaf plant issues

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