Vanilla

Climate zone: Tropical – Dry – Temperate – Continental – Polar 

Surprisingly, vanilla does not grow in the ice-cream box but on a vine – an orchid – officially called the flat-leaved vanilla (Vanilla planifolia). It originally stems from Mexico and is now mainly grown on various tropical islands including Madagascar. Growing vanilla requires a lot of work which is what makes it the second most expensive flavor in the world after saffron. Vanilla is native in the jungle which is why it is very suitable for agroforestry systems. The vine loves shading and needs a stem to climb up to.