Growing Shepu Sugandha variety is super easy and perfect for home gardens. You’ll have fresh, flavorful leaves ready to harvest in just a few weeks! Here’s a simple, detailed guide for you:
Best Time to Plant
Ideal seasons:
October to February (cooler months).In cooler regions, it can also grow in early summer if given some shade.
Shepu loves cool to moderate temperatures for lush, tender leaves.
Container
Depth: At least 8–10 inches deep.
Size: Medium or wide containers are best to allow roots to spread.
Drainage: Make sure there are good drainage holes.
Soil Preparation
Shepu grows best in light, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.
Best soil mix:
40% garden soil
40% compost/vermicompost
20% sand or cocopeat (to loosen the soil)
✅ Add a handful of organic manure or neem cake powder to make the soil nutrient-rich and pest-free.
Sowing the Seeds
Scatter the seeds lightly over the surface.
Cover with a thin layer of soil (about 0.5 cm deep).
Water gently with a spray bottle or fine shower.
Germination: Seeds will sprout in 7–10 days.
Sunlight
Needs 4–6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
In very hot areas, some light afternoon shade is helpful to keep leaves soft and tender.
Watering
Keep the soil consistently moist — not dry, not waterlogged.
Water lightly every 1–2 days, especially in dry weather.
Shepu has fine roots — avoid heavy flooding while watering.
Fertilizing
Add organic liquid fertilizer once every 15–20 days.
Avoid heavy chemical fertilizers — they make leaves hard and bitter.
Harvesting
You can start harvesting young leaves in about 35–45 days after sowing.
Cut only a few leaves at a time (cut and come again method) or harvest the whole plant after about 60–75 days if you want tender bunches.
Always cut from the top to encourage new branching and fresh growth.
Frequent harvesting encourages bushy growth!