Two Traditional Garden Herbs You've Probably Heard About
If you've spent any time exploring Ayurvedic home gardens or Indian herbal traditions, you've likely come across two plants with strikingly similar folk names: the Kaddu Plant and the Insulin Plant. Both are commonly grown in Indian homes, and both carry "sugar"-related nicknames in local traditions. Here's what they actually are — and what they aren't.
Kaddu Plant (Shugar Plant)
Also known in some regions as the "Shugar Plant," this hardy, easy-to-grow herb has been passed down through generations of Indian home gardeners. It has a place in traditional Ayurvedic practice and is valued as much for its ease of cultivation as anything else — it thrives in pots or garden beds with minimal care.
Insulin Plant (Costus Igneus)
Botanically known as Costus Igneus and also called "Spiral Ginger," the Insulin Plant gets its common name from its long-standing place in Ayurvedic and folk garden traditions, rather than from any pharmaceutical property. It's an ornamental, easy-care plant with attractive spiral-patterned leaves, popular in home herb gardens across India.
Why the "Sugar" Names?
Both plants carry these nicknames because of their long history in traditional Ayurvedic practice, passed down through generations of home gardeners and herbal enthusiasts. These are historical, folk names — not a description of any tested or proven effect, and not a substitute for medical treatment of any kind.
Growing These Plants at Home
- Both do well in pots or garden beds with a few hours of sunlight daily
- Water every 2–3 days; avoid waterlogging
- Trim regularly to encourage fresh growth
- Both are hardy and relatively low-maintenance, making them popular starter plants for home herb gardens
An Important Note
Neither the Kaddu Plant nor the Insulin Plant is a medicine or dietary supplement, and neither is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent diabetes or any other medical condition. If you're managing diabetes, blood sugar, or any other health condition, please continue following your doctor's guidance — these are traditional garden plants, not a replacement for medical care.
If you'd like to grow either of these traditional herbs at home, you can find our Kaddu Plant and Insulin Plant (Costus Igneus) as live, farm-grown plants.