Spices
Cardamom
Idukki's signature spice, grown in the shaded high-range hills and a cornerstone of the district economy.
KattappanaNedumkandam
Main Crops
What grows in the high range
Altitude, rainfall and shade create very different farming landscapes within one district. Here is what grows where.
Crop directory
Category
Showing 7 of 7 crops
Spices
Black Pepper
The vine that put Kerala on the ancient spice trade map, widely grown on Idukki's slopes.
ThodupuzhaKattappana
Plantation crops
Tea
The rolling tea estates of Munnar and Peerumade, planted since the late nineteenth century.
MunnarPeerumade
Plantation crops
Coffee
Shade-grown coffee is part of the mixed plantation economy in Idukki's mid and high ranges.
VandiperiyarKumily
Plantation crops
Rubber
Rubber plantations dominate the lower foothills, especially around Thodupuzha.
Thodupuzha
Vegetables & fruit
Vattavada Winter Vegetables & Fruit
The cool terraces of Vattavada and Kanthalloor grow vegetables and fruit that are rare elsewhere in Kerala.
VattavadaKanthalloor
Forest produce
Marayoor Sandalwood
The dry, rain-shadow forests of Marayoor hold natural sandalwood, unusual for Kerala.
Marayoor
Farming in Idukki
Agriculture is the backbone of Idukki's economy. Spices such as cardamom and pepper thrive in the shaded, humid hills, tea and coffee cover the plantation belts, rubber grows on the lower slopes, and the cool eastern valleys support vegetables and fruit that are unusual elsewhere in Kerala.
Growing areas listed here are indicative, not exhaustive. We do not publish prices or market advice. For those, see the official spice and agriculture bodies.