Easy cultivation of cloves: from seed to fragrant spice

 

Do you love the enchanting aroma of cloves in your cakes or mulled wine? What if you could grow them at home? Even though this spice from Indonesia evokes tropical beaches, there are now simple tips to cultivate it yourself—with a little patience and a great deal of satisfaction as a reward.

Where do cloves come from?

Before getting into the practical details, a brief botanical detour. The clove is actually the dried flower bud of an evergreen tree called the clove tree (Syzygium aromaticum), native to the Moluccas (Spice Islands) of Indonesia. These small buds are harvested before they bloom, then dried to become the intense, warm spice we use in our dishes, infusions, and winter desserts.

Long reserved for tropical regions, the clove tree can now be grown at home—provided you recreate conditions similar to its native climate.

Creating the ideal conditions

The clove tree is delicate and loves warmth and humidity. To help it thrive, follow these golden rules:

• Temperature: It prefers stable, gentle warmth between 20°C and 30°C (68–86°F). Cold is its worst enemy, so in temperate regions it’s best grown indoors or in a greenhouse.

• Light: At first, choose soft or indirect light; young plants dislike direct sunlight. As they grow, they can handle more brightness.

• Humidity: The clove tree loves humid air. If your indoor air is dry, a mister or a tray of water near the pot works wonders.

• Soil: Choose deep, light soil rich in organic matter and slightly acidic (pH 5.5–6.5). A mix of potting soil, coconut fiber, and fine sand is ideal.

Finding the right seeds (and avoiding the classic mistake)

Be careful: dried cloves sold in stores cannot germinate. To succeed, you need fresh seeds taken directly from the fruit of the clove tree.

You have two options:

• Buy seeds from a supplier specializing in tropical plants.

• Or collect fresh fruit from an existing clove tree (if you’re lucky!), and use them immediately—their germination power lasts only a few days.

Germination steps

 

 

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Germination steps

1. Prepare the seeds: Gently remove the pulp, then soak the seeds in room-temperature water for 24 hours.

2. Choose the right substrate: A mix of light potting soil, perlite, and coconut fiber ensures good drainage.

3. Sow gently: Place each seed about 1 cm (½ inch) deep and keep the soil moist (but not waterlogged).

4. Be patient: Place the pot in a warm spot, around 25°C (77°F). Germination usually takes 4 to 6 weeks.

Transplanting and caring for your young clove tree

Once several true leaves appear, it’s time to move the plant into a larger pot or, if the climate allows, directly into the ground.

• Watering: Regular but moderate. Standing water can weaken the roots.

• Fertilizer: A monthly application of compost or balanced liquid fertilizer will help it thrive.

• Protection: In winter, bring it indoors or keep it in a greenhouse to protect it from the cold.

Harvesting your first cloves

Patience is essential: the clove tree begins producing its first flower buds after 5 to 8 years. Harvest them just before they open, then dry them in the sun for a few days until they turn dark brown and hard. Store them in an airtight jar, away from moisture.

The joy of homemade spices

Growing cloves at home is more than simple gardening—it’s a sensory experience. You’ll enjoy a pure, aromatic, natural spice grown by your own hands—a true pleasure of exotic gardening to savor all year long.