Guide to growing Curry plant Helichrysum
Members of the Helichrysum genus are half hardy annuals or hardy perennial plants that flower from summer through to the first frost of winter.
They carry long lasting paper like flowers of orange, yellow, red, or white; the flowers may be two-coloured.
They reach about 30cm to 1.2M in height.
Some of the common names for Helichrysum include Curry plant, Immortelle, Licorice plant and Strawflower.
How to grow Curry plant (helichrsum)
When growing curry plants and other Helichrysum members sow the seed on the surface after the last frost of spring. It may be best to start growing curry plants (Helichrysum) indoors first to get a head start. The growing process should start about 8 weeks before putting the plant outdoors a few weeks after the last frost of spring. Germination will take from one to three weeks and should be performed in the light at a temperature of about 18 to 23 degrees Centigrade. Once the seedlings are ready for transplanting they should be spaced at about 20cm apart (small varieties) to 40cm apart (larger species). Helichrysum prefer to grow in sunny areas with a sandy soil of pH6 to 7, though they will tolerate poor soil too.
Caring for Curry plants in the garden
Once growing if you require more curry plants then cuttings can be took in the summer, or simply let the curry plant set seed, and allow it to grow itself. An interesting trick with Helichrysum is to remove all the flowers but one on each inflorescent stem; this will reduce in single big flowers atop each stem.