When to plant Curry Plant in Arid Australia
Arid zone — applies to Alice Springs, Mildura, Broken Hill, Kalgoorlie, Port Augusta and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Temperate · Cool · Subtropical · Tropical.
Raise curry plant from seed in August and September, sowing into trays under cover and transplanting the seedlings out once they are sturdy and the frost risk has passed. Seed is slow and uneven, germinating in 14-21 days, and plants take 90-120 days to make a useful, aromatic bush. Sow shallowly at just 3 mm deep, then space transplants 30-60 cm apart with rows around 60 cm apart. This silvery Mediterranean perennial is superbly suited to arid gardens around Mildura and Kalgoorlie, where it revels in heat, drought and lean, free-draining soil.
Sowing calendar — arid zone
Green months are your sowing window: August to September.
Growing notes
Curry plant is one of the most drought-hardy herbs you can grow inland, but the two things that kill it are wet feet and cold, soggy soil, which makes seed-raising the trickiest stage. Start seed in a free-draining mix in a warm, protected spot, keep it barely moist rather than wet, and be patient because germination is slow and patchy.
Once established in the garden, the plant asks for very little. Full sun, sharp drainage and only occasional deep watering suit it perfectly, and it holds its silver foliage and warm curry scent right through a desert summer.
Failure mode: the classic loss is root rot from over-watering or heavy, poorly drained soil, which turns the plant black at the base and collapses it. The fix is to plant into raised or gritty ground, water sparingly once established, and never let it sit in a wet, mulched hollow.
Give it room, because a mature bush spreads to fill its 30-60 cm spacing, and trim it lightly after flowering to keep it compact. In a hot, dry garden around Broken Hill it will outlast fussier herbs for years with almost no attention.
Curry Plant at a glance
| Sowing depth | 3 mm |
|---|---|
| Plant spacing | 30-60 cm |
| Row spacing | 60 cm |
| Germination | 14-21 days |
| Days to maturity | 90-120 days |
| Frost tolerance | Half Hardy |
| Method | Plant Seedlings |
Common questions
- How do I grow curry plant from seed in a dry climate?
- Raise it under cover in August and September in a free-draining mix, keeping it only just moist. Germination is slow at 14-21 days, so be patient, then transplant sturdy seedlings out after frost risk passes.
- Does curry plant handle desert heat?
- Yes, it is one of the best herbs for arid gardens. This silvery Mediterranean perennial thrives on heat, drought and lean soil, holding its scent and foliage through a hot Mildura or Kalgoorlie summer.
- Why did my curry plant rot and collapse?
- Almost always over-watering or heavy, poorly drained soil. Plant it into gritty or raised ground, water sparingly once established, and keep it out of wet hollows to prevent root rot.
- How far apart should I plant curry plant?
- Space transplants 30-60 cm apart with rows around 60 cm, as a mature bush spreads to fill that room. Good spacing also keeps air moving and drainage sharp, which the plant needs.
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