🌿 Curry Leaf Tree
Murraya koenigii
herbs evergreen shrub/small tree
🗺️ Zones
4-9
🧪 Soil pH
5.5-7.5
📏 Spacing
6-10 ft apart (small tree/shrub)
📅 Days to Maturity
1-2 years (from planting seedling); regular leaf harvest after establishment
🍴 Edible Parts
🍽️ ["Tadka/tempering🍽️ curries🍽️ dals🍽️ chutneys🍽️ rice dishes🍽️ South Indian cuisine"]
🤝 Companions (6)
🤝 chili peppers
Chili peppers benefit from curry leaf tree's light, dappled shade in hot climates; both are essential in South Indian cuisine and share similar growing conditions.
Turmeric thrives in the partial shade beneath curry leaf tree's canopy; the tree's leaf litter adds organic matter that turmeric's rhizomes appreciate.
Ginger grows well under curry leaf's filtered light; the tree moderates soil temperature and retains moisture that ginger needs for rhizome development.
Lemongrass serves as a pest-repelling border around curry leaf trees — its citronella content deters insects while both plants enjoy similar warm conditions.
🤝 coriander
Coriander benefits from curry leaf's partial shade which delays bolting in hot weather; both are kitchen-garden staples with complementary harvest times.
Fenugreek grows as a quick groundcover beneath curry leaf trees, suppressing weeds and adding nitrogen while making use of under-tree space.
⚠️ Keep Apart (1)
⚠️ frost-sensitive plants near it (needs same protection)
Growth inhibition or competition
💊 Medicinal Uses
Contains carbazole alkaloids (mahanimbine, koenimbine) with antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and hepatoprotective properties. Rich in iron and folic acid. Used in Ayurveda for diabetes management, digestive disorders, morning sickness, and hair health. Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and cholesterol-lowering effects shown in studies.