Travel to the Caribbean this summer without stepping foot on a plane. Plant a Caribbean-themed garden and spend the warmer months making flavorful recipes with ingredients picked right from your backyard.

Many ingredients found in classic Caribbean dishes grow well in raised garden beds, or sunny indoor spots. With a bit of planning, it's easy to keep your meals filled with the herbs, greens, and fresh produce that give Caribbean food its signature flavor.

This blog focuses on crops that thrive in raised garden beds, containers you can move to chase the sun, and indoor gardens with the right lighting. Some plants, like small trees and woody herbs, grow especially well in larger rolling planters where they can soak up as much sun as they need.

 

Caribbean Ingredients

1. Thyme

Thyme, especially Caribbean or Spanish thyme, is a woody, aromatic herb that spreads low and wide. It grows well in raised garden beds or larger containers with good drainage. Unlike soft-stemmed herbs, thyme becomes semi-woody as it matures and can live for a couple of years in warm climates once established. It’s a key ingredient in brown stew chicken, jerk seasoning popular in Jamaica, and Caribbean rice and peas.

2. Culantro

Culantro looks a bit like spiny lettuce but tastes like a stronger, more intense cilantro. It prefers partial shade and moist soil, making raised garden beds or indoor containers near a sunny window ideal. If it bolts, culantro sends up tall white flowers that produce coriander seeds. This herb is central to green seasoning and shows up in dishes like Trini pelau and sofrito blends.

3. Scotch Bonnet Peppers

Scotch bonnet peppers need full sun and support from a tall cage or trellis as they fruit. They thrive in raised garden beds with consistent watering, especially in early summer. These small plants produce the most popular chile pepper in Caribbean cooking, essential in recipes like jerk chicken, pepper sauces, and escovitch fish.

4. Pimento

Pimento, also known as allspice, is grown from seed but takes a long time to mature into a fruit-bearing tree. It’s best suited for greenhouses that mimic tropical climates or grown indoors in larger containers in mild areas. Both the berries and leaves are harvested—the dried berries ground into spice blends. The seeds are a core seasoning in Jamaican jerk pork, curry goat, and stews, while the leaves are added whole to soups or rice during cooking.

5. Ginger

Ginger grows from a rhizome and is best planted in early spring in an indoor planter or partially shaded spot in warm climates. It requires regular watering to keep the soil moist. You can harvest the entire plant or just cut off parts of the rhizome as needed. Caribbean kitchens use ginger to flavor drinks like homemade Jamaican sorrel, marinades, and curries.

6. Turmeric

Turmeric grows similarly to ginger, starting from a rhizome. It prefers warm weather and a sunny spot, and it’s usually harvested in early fall when the leaves begin to yellow. The fresh root can be grated or dried and ground into powder. It’s a staple spice across the Caribbean, featured in dishes like Trinidadian curried chicken, teas, and stews.

7. Lemongrass

Lemongrass grows tall and upright and does well in raised garden beds or large planters. It’s a tropical plant that prefers full sun and consistent moisture but can tolerate occasional dry spells. After the second year, you can divide the plant at the base to start new ones. The stalks are the main part used and can be cut low to the base once mature. Lemongrass is commonly used in Caribbean fish tea soup, teas, and marinades.

8. Basil

Basil, especially Caribbean or Thai varieties, grows upright and thrives in warm weather. It does well in elevated garden beds or rolling containers that receive at least six hours of sun. Pinching off flower heads prevents it from going to seed and encourages bushier growth. Basil is a key ingredient in coconut fish rundown, herbal teas, and tomato-based sauces.

9. Cuban Oregano

Sometimes called Spanish thyme, Cuban oregano is a thick-leafed succulent that tolerates dry spells between waterings. It grows well indoors or in sunny raised garden beds and propagates easily from cuttings. Its strong flavor complements beans, stews, pork, and is popular in mojo marinades and other Caribbean spice blends.

10. Mint

Mint spreads aggressively through runners, so it’s best grown in containers or small planters to prevent it from taking over the garden. Mint is used in Caribbean pineapple-mint juice, teas, and chutneys that add a refreshing touch to hearty meals.

11. Callaloo

Callaloo, whether grown from amaranth or taro leaves, thrives in warm, humid conditions with regular watering. These leafy greens grow quickly in raised garden beds and can be harvested by cutting the young leaves from the top, allowing the plant to continue producing throughout the growing season. Callaloo is a staple in Jamaican callaloo soup, often paired with okra and coconut milk. The fresh leaves can be sautéed, stewed, or added to egg dishes and other Caribbean recipes.

12. Chayote

Chayote is a fast-growing climbing vine that needs a sturdy trellis or support, especially in a raised garden bed. Each fruit contains a single large seed that sprouts easily in warm, sunny locations. Once established, the vine can produce a heavy harvest in late summer to early fall. Chayote is a staple in dishes like stewed chocho with saltfish and various Caribbean vegetable curries. The young leaves and tender shoots are also edible and can be cooked like spinach or added to soups and stir-fries.

13. Okra

Okra thrives in hot, humid conditions with full sun and well-drained soil, making it perfect for raised garden beds. The plant grows tall and fast, producing edible pods usually within 50 to 60 days. To keep the plant productive, harvest young pods regularly before they become tough and fibrous. Okra’s mucilaginous texture is a key thickening agent in traditional Caribbean dishes like Trinidad callaloo soup and Caribbean gumbo.

14. Eggplant

Eggplant, also called boulanger or melongene, grows best when planted in early summer and benefits from staking or support like a wall trellis. For Caribbean cooking, beefsteak-type varieties are great because they produce larger fruits perfect for grilling and frying. Eggplant is a star ingredient in dishes like boulanger choka (a roasted eggplant mash), fritters, and hearty stews.

15. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes grow from slips and require a long, warm growing season to develop full-sized tubers. They thrive in raised garden beds with loose, well-draining, nutrient-rich soil and plenty of sunlight. These tubers are a staple in Jamaican cuisine, used in sweet potato pudding, soups, and side dishes. It’s best to harvest them in late fall, before the soil cools down too much.

16. Cassava

Cassava, also known as yuca, is a root crop that grows from stem cuttings rather than seeds. It thrives under full sun in deep raised garden beds or directly in the ground in tropical climates with a long growing season. Cassava is used in dishes like cassava bammy (a type of flatbread) or boiled and served alongside stewed meats. It’s important to cook cassava properly because raw cassava contains natural toxins that can be harmful if not prepared correctly.

17. Plantains

Plantains need a tropical climate to thrive and do best planted in the ground in a sunny, sheltered spot protected from strong winds. They can also grow in large rolling planters that can be moved to follow the sun throughout the year. Plantains take a couple of years to mature and fruit but reward gardeners with a plentiful harvest. The most common uses for plantains are in tostones, maduros, and mofongo.

18. Papaya

Papaya grows quickly from seed and can start fruiting within a year when planted in a sunny spot with well-draining soil and regular watering. In Caribbean cooking, green papaya is often used in pickled dishes like Trinidadian chow, while ripe papaya is popular in smoothies and desserts. Additionally, the papaya skin is sometimes used in traditional remedies for soothing sunburns!

19. Green Onions

Green onions, also called scallions, are easy to grow from seeds or even from the root ends of store bought bunches. They do well in shallow raised garden beds or small containers. You will find them in classic Caribbean recipes like escovitch fish, green seasoning, and various rice dishes.

20. Garlic

Garlic grows from individual cloves and needs a cool period to develop good bulbs. In many parts of the United States, it is best planted in fall for a harvest in late spring or early summer. Garlic is a staple in Caribbean kitchens and is found in Puerto Rican sofrito, marinades, jerk chicken, stews, and almost every savory dish.

Final Thoughts 

Now you know how to grow your own Caribbean ingredient garden. Take your time, enjoy cooking with your family, and create lasting memories while bringing a vibrant new culture into your kitchen. Instead of hopping on a plane, stay home and savor a feast bursting with all the bold, delicious flavors of the Caribbean!