Hi popi, Murraya koenigii is actually a small tree but if you want to keep it small you can prune it or keep it in a container. I wouldn't start it from seed because it will take a long time to become productive. You're better of buying one from a nursery. They are becoming more widely available in recent years, you should be able to track one down without too much trouble. I hope this helps. Jamus.

Here is a link that might be useful: curry leaf tree

Many thanks Jamus for your information. Most useful.

I have had several curry plants that I have bought at an Indian spice shop, but they have always died after a while. I have my suspcions about the health of the plant. So I am eager to try again. I guess I will search the nurseries. Was there today, but had pesky son in tow, so couldnt think straight and remember to have a look. Oh dear!

Thanks for your input my friend.

Are talking about a curry PLANT or a curry TREE - and is there a difference? We've had a curry tree for many years, with long frondy leaves. We prune when it gets a bit tall and it recovers well. They're now fairly readily available in most nurseries.

There is a plant people call curry plant, but it's inedible and not good for anything at all really. Better to just forget about it and concentrate on the proper curry leaf tree, Murraya koenigii.

Yes I know the plant you mean, Jamus, it is a plant worth forgetting about...the leaves smell like curry, but you cant eat them.

Still looking for the murraya, though. I use a lot of curry leaves in Indian cooking and it would be wonderful to have it growing in the garden.

Popi

popi, I noticed Bunnings garden centres have them. If they don't have one at your local store you could ask them to get one in. You will have no trouble growing it where you are, here in Adelaide my tree looks very sad all winter, but always booms back to life in the summer.

Thanks Jamus,

I will be visiting Bunnings to have a look. They where good last year when I ordered 6 grape vines, chiraz, they where very prompt and friendly.

Do you use the leaves in cooking ?

Popi

Went to Bunnings, I have ordered the Murraya koenigii, they had never heard of it.

Might try other nurseries.

Bunnings must have seperate stock lists for each store? Here in Adelaide they certainly carry it.

Popi, yes my wife and I have taught ourselves a lot about Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine. We used to sell spices and spice blends at produce markets. I use curry leaves quite often, especially in a special fish curry we make, with tamarind and coconut milk. It's divine. :)

Jamus I do a lot of Indian cooking too, my hubbie is Indian, and I have a lovely mother in law who gives me recipes.

Please, please...can you forward me the fish curry recipe you make..sounds devine. We also eat a lot of fish, and I need fresh ideas!

Sorry this is a bit off topic!

Popi

I have tracked down a Murray koenigii from Greenpatch seeds.

Hello - I sowed some seed of Murraya koenigii about a month ago and they have germinated well.
A quick note on the other 'curry bush' - silver leaved and curry scented. It actually is edible, however cooking destroys its flavor. Try finely chopping the leaves and adding to mayonnaise for lovely curry flavor for potato and egg salads etc.

Could someone let me know a nursery selling Murraya plants (curry leaves) around Melbourne? Thanks.

Sriyani

I could not find any nursery with Murraya koenigii, I ended up getting it sent to me in the mail from Greenpatch Seeds. It cost about $15, its small, but it got to me in one piece!

I think I will track down some seeds and try growing more myself.

Could someone let me know a nursery selling Murraya plants (curry leaves) around Indinapolis? Thanks.

Renugera

I suggest you do a google search. Not familiar with that area of the world.

BTW my Murraya is in the ground and has not put out any new leaves, its still green and alive, but just not growing. I water it, it has sun.....does anyone know if they are slow to get a move on ?

Ajay....did you grow all those Murraya's from seed ?

Popi

Its about 10cm high not very tall.

Hi

The statement ( * Posted by jamus_s SA Australia (My Page) on
Thu, Aug 10, 06 at 2:31

There is a plant people call curry plant, but it's inedible and not good for anything at all really. Better to just forget about it and concentrate on the proper curry leaf tree, Murraya koenigii. )

is not entirely correct.. You can use the leaves of the curry PLANT, in "flavouring" lite foods ie. soups and sauces and the like. This I have done many times with great success.

The curry LEAF TREE (Murraya koenigii) is the one most people use in culinary creations. So both can be used but I would prefer the curry LEAF TREE for flavouring heavy foods.

and yes they are distinctively different, in look and texture and uses. So there ya go! hope this helps..

well thank goodness lol, I recently bought the silver-leaved curry bush and was looking forward with some enthusiasm to using it this winter to round out the flavor of my curries, when I saw someone say it was inedible I was quite dissappointed, thankfully it IS edible and I'll be trying mine soon, from what I could find out its actually a helichrysum so I'd expect it flowers nicely. I definitely do need a proper curry leaf tree though, can't beat the flavour, am having a love-affair with Indian curries at the moment, THE best winter food.