Let’s be honest — pandan looks easy to grow… until it doesn’t. The first time I planted one, it turned yellow, sulked in the pot, and gave me serious pokok anxiety.
But after a few failed attempts (and one near-death experience for the plant), I figured out what actually works.
Here are my best pandan-growing hacks, tried, tested, and suffered through — so your pandan doesn’t ghost you like mine did.
🌱 The Basics of Pandan (a.k.a Pokok Wangi)
- Scientific name: Pandanus amaryllifolius
- Grown for: Aromatic leaves (used in rice, desserts, drinks, kuih)
- Type: Tropical, clumping plant
- Light: Likes bright, filtered sun
- Water: Moist, but well-drained soil
- Size: Can grow up to 1–1.5m in pots
🚫 Mistake #1: Using “Any Old Soil”
What I did:
- I used regular dirt from the backyard
- Result: compacted, stinky, slow-growing pandan
What I do now:
- Use loose, rich organic soil with cocopeat + compost
- Add a handful of rice husk ash (for drainage)
- Top up with mulch to retain moisture
🌞 Mistake #2: Giving It Full-On Blazing Sun
What I did:
- Placed it directly under the hot afternoon sun
- Result: Crispy tips, stressed-out leaves
What I do now:
- Place in partial sun or morning sun only
- Ideal spots: near a wall, under shade net, or next to taller plants
✅ Pandan loves bright light but hates intense heat
💦 Mistake #3: Watering Too Much or Too Little
What I did:
- Sometimes forgot to water, sometimes drowned it with guilt
What I do now:
- Stick finger 2 inches in soil — if dry, water
- Water every 2–3 days depending on rain
- Use a tray with pebbles under pot for humidity boost
Pro tip: Never let it sit in soggy soil — root rot is real
✂️ Mistake #4: Not Pruning (At All)
What I did:
- Left old leaves hanging around like dead friendships
What I do now:
- Trim yellow, dry, or floppy leaves regularly
- Cut from the base, not the tip
- Encourage new shoots by removing outer leaves
✅ Bonus: Use trimmed leaves to make pandan oil or freeze them for later!
🧽 Hack #1: Use Banana Water Once a Month
| Why it works | How to make |
|---|---|
| High potassium = strong leaves | Soak 2 banana peels in 1L water for 2–3 days |
| Boosts root growth | Pour around base, not on leaves |
🪴 Hack #2: Repot Every 6–8 Months
Pandan outgrows its pot fast. If roots stick out or water doesn’t drain properly — it’s time.
- Choose a pot 2–3x bigger than current one
- Refresh soil mix and trim outer root ball slightly
- Water lightly for 2 days after repotting
🌿 Hack #3: Propagate Easily with Offshoots (Anak Pokok)
Pandan sends out baby shoots around its base — free plants!
To propagate:
- Wait till offshoot is 10–15cm tall
- Gently separate with roots attached
- Plant in small pot with moist soil
- Place in indirect light until established
✅ Great for gifting or expanding your garden!
🧯 Troubleshooting Chart
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow leaves | Overwatering / poor drainage | Improve soil, water less |
| Floppy leaves | Low sunlight / rootbound | Move to better spot, repot |
| Burnt tips | Direct sun / dry air | Move to partial shade, increase humidity |
| No growth | Lacks nutrients | Compost or banana water monthly |
🛒 Tools I Recommend
| Item | Use |
|---|---|
| Cocopeat | Improves soil structure |
| Clay pot (not plastic) | Helps with root aeration |
| Mulch (dry leaves, husk) | Moisture retention |
| Neem spray | Pest prevention |
| Banana peel tea | Fertilizer hack |
✅ Wrap-Up
Growing pandan is like raising a drama queen — it looks easy, but mess one thing up and it shows you attitude. Still, it’s one of the most rewarding plants you can grow in Malaysia.
Follow these hacks and your pandan will be lush, green, and ready to make nasi lemak proud.
What’s your biggest pandan struggle? Drop a pic and tag us @projectharvest.my — we’ve all been there 😅🍃