How to Care and Propagate: Ajwain Plant (Trachyspermum ammi)

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Introduction:

  • Ajwain Plant also known as Ajowan, Bishop’s weed or Carom plant.
  • It is both a culinary and a medicinal plant.
  • It’s an attractive and easy-to-grow plant. It grows quickly and readily, spreading and filling in spaces in beds.
  • The leaves have a fresh herbal taste.
  • The plant have soothing aroma and fragrance.
  • You can also use the seeds in cooking, which resemble cumin seeds and have hints of thyme, anise and oregano.
  • This is also considered to be lucky plant in terms of Feng Shui as the leaves are round and any circular shape promotes good chi (energy) to enter the place. This promotes good-luck and money-luck.

Soil & Climate:

  • Ajwain plant grows well in any type of soil.
  • A good soil mixture consists of 20% compost and 80% gardening soil.
  • Ajwain does not require very regular fertilization, but it is advisable to feed once in month with an all-purpose fertilizer.

Repotting:

  • Repot Ajwain plant every year with same soil mix (mentioned above).

Pruning:

  • When the plant reaches at least 6-8 inches, trim the lengthy stems. Also, remove broken and damaged leaves from the plant. Pruning makes the plant bushier and encourages fresh growth.

Light requirement:

  • It grows well in direct sunlight.

Water Technique:

  • Water well once upper layer of soil is dried. You can check by touching the soil.

Propagation:

  • Ajwain is easy to propagate and grow through softwood cuttings, tip cuttings and seeds. It is a little difficult to grow this plant through its seeds but the other methods are easy.

Benefits:

  • The leaves are best used fresh in vegetable and yogurt dishes, while the seeds can be ground or used whole in curries, sauces, chutneys, and lentils.
  • Some of the traditional medicinal uses are as follows:
    1. Digestive issues such as upset stomach, gastrointestinal issues, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
    2. Treat bacterial and fungal infections.
    3. Also use to treat Asthma and other respiratory conditions.
    4. In addition to above medicinal uses it helps to reduce the cough from the body.

Tips:

  • Needs regular cutting and trimmings to keep a watch at its growth, otherwise it will overtake other containers, as roots develop from the stem wherever they come in contact with soil.
  • Remember over watering can kill this and the soil has to be well drained as the stem become limp with excess water and drop.
  • When growing it in a garden, the plant may require support, as the stems start leaning down when they attain maturity.

Thanks and best of Luck!

Happy Planting!

I would like to hear your thoughts, suggestions and any questions in the comments below.

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