Helichrysum Species, Curry Plant, Immortelle, Italian Strawflower
Helichrysum italicum
Family: | Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Helichrysum (hel-ih-KRY-sum) (Info) |
Species: | italicum (ee-TAL-ih-kum) (Info) |
Synonym: | Helichrysum angustifolium |

Category:
Herbs
Perennials
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Sun Exposure:
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Evergreen
Good Fall Color
Shiny/Glossy
Succulent
This plant is resistant to deer
Foliage Color:
Bronze
Height:
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Spacing:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
Bloom Color:
Bright Yellow
Bloom Characteristics:
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From herbaceous stem cuttings
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
Seed Collecting:
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Fontana, California
Merced, California
Santa Rosa, California
Hollywood, Florida
Tallahassee, Florida
Wakulla Springs, Florida
Honolulu, Hawaii
Wichita, Kansas
Florence, Mississippi
Las Vegas, Nevada
Farmington, New Mexico
Raleigh, North Carolina
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Lake Oswego, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Salem, Oregon
Abilene, Texas
Austin, Texas
Azle, Texas
Belton, Texas
Buda, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Houston, Texas
Manchaca, Texas
Richmond, Texas
Elma, Washington
Spokane, Washington
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Neutral | On Jul 30, 2013, plantlover13 from new york, Just FYI, "cutty plant" is NOT the same as curry leaf tree, which is what is used as a flavoring. Murraya koenigii is the edible one. |
Neutral | On Aug 7, 2012, Clary from Lewisburg, PA (Zone 6b) wrote: Helichrysum is one of my favorite essential oils. It is extremely beneficial for topical skin care. This essential oil is GRAS - Generally Regarded As Safe - meaning that it can be ingested in small doses. We use it periodically on a toothbrush for oral care. While kimfall's stew may not have a flavor to her liking, it should be one of the healthiest meals she has ever served to her children :) |
Negative | On Aug 6, 2012, kimfall from Buda, TX wrote: I just ruined a whole pot of stew with this plant. It has a STRONG bitter taste, in spite of it's delicious smell. Do not use it for cooking. I am concerned about feeding this stew to my children. Is the plant unsafe to eat? It tastes horrible. |
Positive | On Jul 25, 2012, gwendusty from windsor ontario, I have one of these plants and love it, smells like maple syrup to me. U can eat it, treat it kinda like a rosemary plant, it does come from there abouts. oh and some one was talking about fertilizer all the websites i searched said do not fertilize, it likes poor soil like a rosemary or morningglorys!! |
Positive | On Jul 3, 2012, lotone67 from Reno, TX wrote: Love this plant. Grows with no effort on my part whatsoever. Bought two in little four inch pots about four years ago and both are the size of small bushes now. The aroma is intoxicating, I love it. Our winters here in North Texas have no effect on them whatsoever, not even a couple of nasty ice storms that had them completely buried in ice and snow. When they finally thawed out they looked like nothing at all had happened to them....awesome. |
Positive | On Jun 24, 2012, Spokaloo from Spokane, WA wrote: This plant is growing like crazy in Zone 5. It was free at the end of a season, so I thought I'd see if it could struggle through and survive. It thrived in my xeric landscape. I transplanted it today (6/24) and hope it will make it through the hot summer. |
Positive | On Jan 25, 2010, Cixi from Addis Ababa, An excellent plant. I had one for several years, then it died (I think when we had a very hot weekend and it didn't get watered). I wanted to get another one but couldn't find one right away, so kept the dead one for a while - it still has scent! |
Positive | On Mar 21, 2008, RitaWhite from Las Vegas, NV wrote: I just wanted to add this to the comments on this plant because no one else mentioned it. I discovered the plant while shopping for facial moisturizer at a shop called L'Occitane. The oils from the flowers are invaluable as moisturizers for the skin, they have a complete line of products called "Immortelle" it is so excellent. I just had to get my plants so I can see them bloom into those beautiful bright yellow little flowers! Thanks for all your info! |
Positive | On Feb 5, 2008, Mclovin from Rockville, MD wrote: This plant is used for cooking, but unlike the indian curry leaves this plant is not eaten. Add it to soups or stews and remove it. It is known to irritate the stomach when eaten. That is why it is not popular in the culinary world. I like to steam fish in wine and throw in herbs including silver leaf curry, but I then remove it without eating it. |
Positive | On Jun 27, 2007, hilladen from Lake Oswego, OR wrote: This is a great little herb! It grows amazingly well, looks nice, and smells nice. Though the odor can be a little over powering at times, espicially after I have trimmed it and smelled like curry all day. |
Positive | On Jun 11, 2007, jic from Camberley, ManicReality is mistaken: Helichrysum italicum is not used in Indian food, and got the name Curry Plant simply because it smells like curry powder. |
Positive | On May 29, 2007, vossner from East Texas, A new plant for me, found it in the herb section at one of my fave nurseries. While it smells like curry, I don't think you cook with it. |
Positive | On May 28, 2007, jackie4762 from South Wales, I love this plant - its colour provides interest and structure in the herbaceous border and it smells wonderful when disturbed. It likes a sunny, but sheltered spot. I prune it back to (but not into) old wood in the spring to encourage new growth otherwise it gets straggly and woody. As for cooking with it, the leaves of the plant that is used in making curries comes from the Indian bay or Curry leaf (Botanical name: Murraya koenigii). |
Positive | On Apr 22, 2007, ManicReality from Houston, TX (Zone 10a) wrote: Yes! It's edible, go by any Indian restaurant or look online for Indian recipes.... Your nose knows... I love the smell of this plant, I had never imagined it would be so pretty to top it off. Also since I have gotten it, it seems to take care of itself, Another great benefit. I can't wait to move in to the place where I planted it, and start cooking :) |
Positive | On Apr 7, 2006, givemeliberti from Tallahassee, FL wrote: I was told it was not "really" edible at Tallahassee Nursery, so I'm wondering if it is or not. I'll keep searching the web for more info. Please let me know if your know for sure if it's edible. |
Neutral | On Mar 7, 2004, slusarczyk wrote: We brought this plant because of its very interesting smell! Thank you for confirming with us that we could you it to flavour food as we were always curious! |
Positive | On Jan 27, 2004, kviolette from Raleigh, NC (Zone 8a) wrote: This is a drought and sun tolerant plant surviving upon a stacked stone wall with a full western sun exposure close to a large pine tree. The curry fragrance gives pleasure to work or water around. |
Positive | On Jan 25, 2004, Toxicodendron from Piedmont, MO (Zone 6a) wrote: The fragrance of these seems to be variable. Mine smells like a candy bar from the old days: Bit 'O Honey. Lovely silver foliage, drought tolerant, and has overwintered here in zone 6 the past 2 years. Easy to root tip cuttings for insurance against winter loss. |
Positive | On Nov 11, 2003, ShadowsChaseMe from Adelaide, I have this growing in the dwarf variety, it's silver foliage is almost white and stunning against the red brick path. The nursery told me that you can cook with the leaves, sautee'd in oil, they give a nice taste to onions as a flavour base for stews and curries. |
Neutral | On Nov 22, 2002, jkom51 from Oakland, CA (Zone 9b) wrote: Just found these curiosities at a local store and purchased some. The curry scent is very real and unusual, to say the least. Can't find much information on them, but the label says they 'spread' so we'll see how they do, I have several other helichrysums that are doing well so far in zone 9 coastal Nor. CA. |