I am a tall, ginger-like plant with massive green fronds and distinctive seed pods that grow at my base.

I am native to the lush, high-altitude rainforests of the Western Ghats in Southern India.

I crave high humidity and constant moisture; my soil should stay damp at all times, but never waterlogged.

I prefer dappled or filtered sunlight, as I naturally grow under the shade of tall forest canopies.

I thrive in tropical conditions between 18°C and 35°C and cannot survive in frost or extremely dry heat.

I need rich, organic, and slightly acidic soil with excellent drainage to prevent my rhizomes from rotting.

I am a hungry plant; I benefit from regular applications of organic compost and potassium-rich fertilizers.

My scientific name is Elettaria cardamomum and I belong to the Zingiberaceae family.

I am generally non-toxic to dogs and cats, but eating my pods in large quantities can cause mild stomach upset.

My large, expansive leaves are excellent at producing oxygen and increasing humidity in my immediate environment.

I am used to treat digestive issues, freshen breath, and add a world-class aromatic profile to coffee, tea, and curries.

I am sensitive to low humidity, which causes my leaf tips to turn brown, and I can be targeted by thrips or aphids.

I am a long-lived perennial that starts producing pods after 3 years and can continue for 10 to 15 years.