How to grow Curry Leaf in Australia
Curry leaf (Murraya koenigii) is a small evergreen tree from India and Sri Lanka whose glossy, strongly scented leaves are fried in oil to start curries, dals and chutneys. It loves warmth and is frost tender, and in tropical and subtropical gardens it suckers and self-seeds so freely that a pot is often the better home.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Curry Leaf Tree in Australia
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to March | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to March | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | October to January | Plant Oct to Jan in a warm sheltered spot. Grows well on the coast; in the west it drops leaves in winter and young trees need frost cover. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | Not suited | Frost-sensitive; Melbourne winter kills plants. Unsuitable unless greenhouse or heated shelter. |
| Adelaide & SA | October and November | Plant Oct to Nov once nights are warm. Best in a large pot against a warm wall; it drops leaves in winter cold and must be kept from frost. |
| Perth & WA | September to November | Plant Sep to Nov in a warm sheltered spot or a large pot. Leaves thin out in winter and return with the warmth. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. Tropical tree killed by frost. Not viable outdoors in Tasmania. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Curry Leaf unsuitable for Canberra: tropical tree; cannot tolerate frost. Use other herbs for curry flavour. |
| North Queensland | September to March | Wet season Sep to Mar. Curry leaf is tropical shrub; thrives in monsoonal heat and humidity. |
| Darwin & Top End | September to March | Wet season Sep to Mar. Curry leaf is tropical shrub; thrives in monsoonal heat and humidity. |
Not to be confused with: Curry plant (Helichrysum italicum), a grey-leaved herb that smells of curry but is not the leaf used in Indian cooking, and orange jessamine (Murraya paniculata), a related hedge plant.
Where to plant
Curry leaf wants a warm, sheltered spot in full sun or light shade and soil that drains well. It is not fussy about soil type, but its roots rot in soggy ground. In cooler gardens, a spot against a north or west facing wall gives it extra warmth.
Think about weeds before you plant it in the ground. In tropical and subtropical Australia the tree flowers through the warm months, birds eat the black berries and spread the seed into bushland, and the spreading roots throw up suckers. It has naturalised in south east and northern Queensland. A pot keeps it in check, and removing the fruit before it ripens stops the seed spreading.
- South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers, North Queensland and Darwin: grows easily. Plant from September to March. A pot or a spot well away from bushland is the safer choice, and pick off the berries.
- Sydney: plant from October to January in a warm, sheltered spot. It grows well on the coast; in western Sydney it drops leaves in winter and young plants need frost cover.
- Perth and Adelaide: plant in spring (September to November in Perth, October to November in Adelaide) in a large pot or against a warm wall. Expect leaves to thin in winter and return with warm weather.
- Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart: our calendar marks these as unsuitable outdoors, as frost and long cold winters kill or badly set back the tree. Some Melbourne gardeners keep one alive in a pot in the warmest sheltered spot or under cover over winter.
How to plant
- Plant in spring or early summer once nights are warm, so the tree has the whole warm season to settle in.
- Water the plant in its pot well before planting.
- In the ground, dig a hole wider than the pot but no deeper and plant with the crown at soil level. In a pot, use a quality potting mix and a pot with good drainage holes.
- Water in well and mulch, keeping the mulch clear of the stem.
- Pick lightly for the first year so the young tree can build leaf and roots.
Watering and feeding
Water regularly through the warm months while the tree is growing, then ease right off in winter when growth stops. Established trees need only moderate watering. Never leave the roots sitting wet, as they rot in soggy soil, especially in a hot, wet summer. In the tropical dry season, a heavier potting mix that holds some moisture stops pots drying out completely.
Feed in spring with a complete slow-release fertiliser, and give potted plants a little extra feeding through the warm season, as frequent picking takes a lot out of them.
Pruning and care through the year
- Prune or pick the tips often to keep the tree bushy and within reach.
- Pull or cut off suckers that come up around the base, and keep doing it, as the roots keep producing them.
- Stop the seed spreading. Either remove the fruit after flowering, or, as Gardening Australia suggests, prune off the fruiting stems once the berries start to colour, which also slows the next round of flowers.
- In cool areas, a tree that drops most of its leaves in winter is usually resting, not dying. Keep it on the dry side until new growth appears in spring.
Harvesting
Pick whole sprigs of leaves as you need them once the tree is established, snipping the stem rather than stripping single leaflets. Regular picking makes the tree branch and gives more leaves.
Fresh leaves keep for about a week in a dry plastic bag in the fridge, and freeze well if you keep the leaves whole on the stem.
Growing in pots
A pot is the best way to grow curry leaf in many gardens. It stops the roots suckering through the garden, lets you move the tree to a warm spot in winter in cooler areas, and makes it easy to remove the fruit. Use a pot at least 30 cm wide with good drainage and a quality potting mix, water regularly in the warm months and less in winter, and feed through spring and summer.
Propagation and saving seed
Curry leaf grows from fresh seed or from suckers dug from the base of an established tree. Clean the flesh off the seed, sow it fresh and keep it warm. Stem cuttings can also be struck. Never eat the berries: the seed inside is toxic.
Pests and diseases
Curry leaf has few serious problems in a warm spot. Most losses come from cold or from roots sitting wet.
Pests to watch for
Diseases to watch for
- Root rot Leaves yellow and drop and the plant wilts while the soil is wet, most often in heavy soil or deep, soggy pots over a hot, wet summer. Improve drainage and water less.
Common questions
Is curry leaf a weed in Australia?
It can be in warm areas. In tropical and subtropical Australia birds eat the berries and spread the seed into bushland, and the roots sucker, so it has naturalised in parts of Queensland. It is not a declared weed in Brisbane, but grow it in a pot or remove the berries before they ripen.
Why is my curry leaf tree dropping its leaves?
In cooler areas such as Sydney's west, Adelaide and Perth, the tree often drops many leaves in winter and regrows in spring. Leaf drop at other times usually means the roots are too wet or the plant has been hit by cold. Let the soil dry a little between waterings and keep it sheltered.
Can I grow curry leaf in a pot?
Yes, and it is often the best way. Use a pot at least 30 cm wide with good drainage, water through the warm months, ease off in winter and feed in spring and summer. A pot can be moved to a warm spot in winter and stops the roots suckering.
Are curry leaf berries edible?
No. The small black berries contain a seed that is toxic and should not be eaten. Use only the leaves.
Can curry leaf grow in Melbourne?
Only with protection. Our calendar treats Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart as unsuitable outdoors because frost and cold winters kill or set back the tree. A pot in the warmest, most sheltered spot, moved under cover in winter, is the way to try it.
How do I propagate curry leaf?
Sow fresh seed with the flesh cleaned off in warm conditions, or dig up a rooted sucker from the base of an established tree and pot it up.
How do I store curry leaves?
Keep fresh sprigs in a dry plastic bag in the fridge for about a week. For longer storage, freeze the leaves whole on the stem.
Sources we checked: Gardening Australia: Curry Tree Control; Gardening Australia: Tropical Herbs; Brisbane City Council Weed Identification Tool: Curry-leaf tree; Garden Express: Curry leaf tree growing guide; Nunawading Community Gardens: Curry tree.