How to Grow Turmeric plants

Turmeric Plant

Turmeric is used widely in Indonesian and Indian cooking and is also known as Indian saffron. The botanical name is Curcuma longa.

Turmeric is easy to grow and, as a perennial, is long lived. Growing from rhizomes, this is a plant that needs a warm climate and moist soil to grow successfully. Good drainage is also important, as this helps stop the rhizome from rotting.

You can grow turmeric in containers, and for gardeners in cooler climates this is often the best method.

Content

The natural environment for turmeric is as a rainforest plant. Warmth, moist soil, filtered light and good soil conditions will help you grow turmeric successfully at home.

About the Turmeric Plant

Turmeric is related to the gingers and is grown to use either fresh or dried in cooking. Curcuma longa is from South East Asia, while Curcuma domestica is from India.

The plant itself will reach around 1 m in height, and many gardeners grow turmeric purely for the wonderful pure white flowers.

Usually seen as a tropical or subtropical plant, turmeric can also be grown in cooler climates as a perennial. Although turmeric is usually grown for the roots or tubers, the wide green leaves are also used in Malaysian cooking. They may be used as wraps to steam food or finely cut and used in curries.

How to Grow Turmeric

Growing turmeric is not difficult.

Plant in a humus-rich, well-drained, moist soil in part shade. Full shade will encourage leaf growth but will decrease the growth of tubers.

In cooler climates it is best to grow turmeric in pots or containers and give it protection from winter cold. A greenhouse or warm sunny patio area is ideal.

Turmeric can also be grown from the tubers you buy in markets. You will need a healthy rhizome to start with. If you look at the rhizomes you will see buds, and these are what you want.

Planting Turmeric

In warmer climates (subtropical areas) turmeric can be planted at any time of the year.

In cooler climates plant in a container in spring as the weather warms. Turmeric can also be started earlier in a container in a warm position on a patio or verandah.

Turmeric can also be grown indoors if the right conditions are provided.

Growing Turmeric in Containers

To start you will need:

Some turmeric root or rhizome. Choose a healthy looking rhizome from a market.
A large container.
A good quality humus-rich growing medium with some added perlite to improve drainage.

Steps

Look for fresh healthy rhizomes at a market or specialist fruit and vegetable shop.
Choose a rhizome that has some buds visible.
Cut the rhizome into pieces that have at least three buds on each section.
Mix 2/3 good quality potting mix with 1/3 cow manure. Add a little blood and bone or bone meal.
Plant the root 6–10 cm deep with the buds or eyes facing upwards.
Water regularly using a liquid seaweed fertiliser. Avoid nitrogen rich fertilisers.
Keep the container in a warm position with dappled light.

Winter Care

In autumn the plant will begin to die back. At this stage it can be cut back to the ground.

To overwinter in cooler climates, place the container in a warm sheltered position where it does not receive a lot of rain during winter. Cold, wet soil is the combination that causes the root to rot.