Shikakai शिकाकाई

🌱 About the plant

A thorny southern climber whose pods have washed hair for centuries.

Growing it

Very thorny; site it where nobody brushes past.

What it is for

Shikakai hair wash; a formidable boundary plant.

🪴 How to grow

Sunlight

Full sun

Water

Fortnightly

Season

Jun–Jul

Grows in

Garden / ground

Mature size

Climbs 5–10 m

First harvest

Pods year four

Very thorny; site it where nobody brushes past.

🌾 Traditional uses

Traditionally used — recorded as tradition, not as established effect. The two registers below are kept separate on purpose.

Traditional knowledge

Shikakai hair wash; a formidable boundary plant.

Scientific evidence

This record has not yet assessed the research on these uses. Absence of an assessment here is not evidence either way.

Important: Traditional plant use does not replace professional medical advice. Do not treat a condition on the strength of this page — speak to a doctor.

🐝 Ecological value

🗺️ Where it grows in India