Pandan
Pandanus amaryllifolius
Also known asScrewpine · Pandanus · Daun pandan · Bai toey · Rampe
Environment
The bounded range this crop tolerates.
Climate and zones
- USDA zones
- 10–12 (winter low around -1°C)
- Frost
- frost sensitive (dies at first frost)
- Season
- year-round tropical
Growing systems
Root mass: heavy. Thin-channel systems can't hold this crop.
Growing media
| Medium | pH effect | Retention | Bacterial surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coco coir (Coconut coir) | slightly acidic | high | moderate |
| Soil-based mix (Potting soil) | varies | high | high |
Nutrient demand by stage
NPK ratios are relative weights. EC targets shift through the plant's life.
| Stage | N | P | K | EC (mS/cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| seedling | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| vegetative | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1.4 |
Aquaponics suitability
Compatible
Fish waste provides enough nitrogen for healthy growth. Supplemental potassium, calcium, and iron may still be needed depending on fish stocking density.
Care notes
A tropical houseplant-style crop for warm conditions. Container (10 L) with well-drained media. EC 1.5-2.5 mS/cm. pH 5.5-7.0. Temperature: 20–35°C (tropical; growth stops below 15°C, frost kills the plant). Moderate to high light (DLI 14-22 mol/m2/day; tolerates lower light than most edible crops, growing acceptably in bright indirect light). The plant grows slowly (adding a few new leaves per month) and reaches 60–100 cm in containers. Harvest individual lower leaves as needed; the plant continues producing new leaves from the center. For cooking: tie a leaf in a knot and simmer in rice or coconut milk. For extract: blend leaves with a small amount of water, strain, and use the bright green liquid. Fresh leaves freeze well and can be used directly from frozen. Propagation by separating basal shoots (pups) from the mother plant. The plant never needs pollination or produces seeds; all commercially grown pandan is clonal. For Southeast Asian cooking, a pandan plant provides a continuous supply of a leaf that transforms rice and desserts.