Cummin

Grow your own Cumin Plants

Although Cumin is a very popular spice, it is not widely grown in the home garden, however you can grow your own cumin plants if you wish.

One of the oldest cultivated herbs, Cumin is widely grown in North Africa through the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Grown both for the seeds and the leaves which are used in salads.

This is a plant that needs a good summer, it will reach around .7m in height and eventually flower with terminal white blooms.

Cumin can be a little difficult to grow. It requires lots of water, full sun to a part shady position but a well drained soil.

Can you grow it at home?

This is a plant that can be grown in the home garden from seeds. Seeds can be planted during spring as the weather begins to warm up.

This is a plants that needs at least 4 months of warmth to grow satisfactorily, so a warm climate is essential. It is treated as a summer annual, and requires the 4 month of good weather to allow it to set seeds.

Summary Growing Conditions.

• Full sun
• Moist Soil
• Sow directly for best results
• Use a low nitrogen fertiliser for best flavour.
• Do not allow to dry out over summer, however ensure good drainage.
• Cumin plants do not tolerate frost.

Seed pods are harvested in autumn and usually allowed to dry naturally on wire racks. The seeds are collected and then ground for use.

As it is the seeds and powder that is mainly used, this is not a plant that is grown widely in home gardens in Australia, with most seeds being imported.

You can buy Cumin plants and seeds from the following suppliers