Easy Clove Growing: From Seed to Aromatic Spice

Do you love the captivating aroma of cloves in cakes or mulled wine? What if you could grow them at home? Although this spice from Indonesia brings to mind tropical beaches, there are simple ways to grow it at home. All it takes is a little patience and you’ll achieve many satisfying results…
Where Do Cloves Come From?

 

ZanimLet’s get to the heart of the matter, with a brief botanical digression. Cloves are actually the dried flower buds of an evergreen tree: the clove tree, native to the Moluccas Islands in Indonesia. These small buds, harvested before flowering, are then dried to become an intense and warming spice that we add to dishes, infusions, or winter desserts.

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Cloves, long reserved for tropical regions, can now be grown indoors, provided they are provided with an environment that at least somewhat resembles their native climate.

Creating the ideal conditions

Goździk toA delicate tree that loves warmth and moisture. To thrive, follow a few golden rules:

Temperature: It grows well in a moderate, constant temperature between 20°C and 30°C. Cold is its biggest enemy, so if you live in a temperate zone, it’s best to grow it indoors or in a greenhouse.
Light: Initially, choose dim or indirect light; young plants don’t like direct sunlight. As they grow, they will benefit from more light.
Humidity: Carnations love a humid environment. If the air in your home is dry, a sprinkler or a bowl of water near the pot will work wonders.
Soil: Choose deep, light soil, rich in organic matter, and slightly acidic (pH between 5.5 and 6.5). A mixture of potting soil, coconut fiber, and fine sand is ideal. Finding the Right Seeds (and Avoiding the Classic Mistake)

Note: Store-bought dried cloves won’t germinate. To successfully grow cloves, you need fresh seeds, extracted directly from the fruit of the clove tree.

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