How to Grow Turmeric



turmeric
Pin It

Days to germination: Started by root cuttings, not seeds
Days to harvest: 250 days or more (8 to 10 months)
Light requirements: Full sun, or slight shade
Water requirements: Regular watering
Soil: Well-drained soil
Container: Necessary for most climates

Introduction

Turmeric is likely best known as a pungent and bright yellow spice in Indian cuisine. It’s a tropical plant, and can only be grown outdoors if you live in zones 9 or warmer. Your plants won’t be able to tolerate any climate colder than 65F.

Turmeric is different from most herbs in that you are not going to be harvesting the leaves, but the roots instead. The plant grows an underground tuber, or rhizome much like ginger does. It can take up to 10 months for a new crop of roots to develop, and it’s not a plant that you can harvest in small pieces through the season.

It’s closely related to ginger, and has a similar strong taste that is a little hard to describe. Turmeric is the main ingredient in most Indian curry powders. It sometimes goes by the name of Indian saffron but is not related to saffron at all.

Aside from its power as a seasoning, there is growing evidence of the health benefits from this herb. It’s high in anti-oxidants and may have anti-inflammatory or even anti-caner properties.

Starting from Seed

You won’t be planting seeds to start your turmeric plants, but using roots instead. It’s not just a matter of convenience, the plant doesn’t produce seeds for propagation.

If you have a market nearby where you can buy fresh turmeric roots, you may be able to use those to sprout a plant. Otherwise, you will have to find a local nursery or online store that carries them. Turmeric isn’t the most common of household plants so it may take some looking. If you have access to a supermarket that carries it, purchase 2 or 3 because they probably won’t all sprout.

Once you have a fresh rhizome or root, all you need to do is plant it. A large root will have several branches or fingers to it. You can cut these apart and start more than one plant if you wish. The easiest way to get it to sprout is to just bury the root under 2 inches of loose potting soil. If there are any knobs or buds on the root, turn it so they are facing upwards.

Keep it damp but not sopping wet or the root may rot. In a month or so, you should see sprouts come up.

If you are going to grow turmeric outside, you can transplant it out in the late fall. For indoor plants, you can do this anytime.

Transplanting

Though you could always just plant your pieces of root directly outside, it’s usually safer to keep them indoors until they have started to sprout.

If you are growing more than one, plant each seedling about 12 to 16 inches apart. A sunny location is best but a little bit of afternoon shade shouldn’t hurt either.

Growing Instructions

Once your plants are established and growing well, they will need very little care from you. During winter months, turmeric needs less water but once the growing season starts you will want to water fairly frequently to keep the soil moist.

Bi-monthly or even weekly feedings with a liquid fertilizer is ideal.

If you see your plant going to flower, there is nothing to worry about. It won’t have any effect on your later root harvest, and the flowers don’t actually produce any seeds.

Containers

The majority of people who are going to grow turmeric will have to do so indoors, and it does grow fine in pots.

It will likely grow too large for a windowsill but can thrive in a sunny room. Choose a container that is at least 12 inches across and the same in depth to give your plants room to grow.

Water potted turmeric regularly to keep the soil damp, and weekly feedings with mild or diluted fertilizer are very beneficial.

Pests and Diseases

Turmeric is a plant that is seldom bothered by insects or disease. Your plant may develop leaf blotch or leaf spot, which is a fungus infection that will start out as brown patches on the leaves. The leaves will eventually turn yellow and drop off. Bordeaux fungicide can help control it if you catch it soon enough.

If you are growing turmeric outside of Asia, there are not many insects interested in the plant. Aphids and mites sometimes cluster on the leaves, but they can easily be washed off with a spritz of water or a spray of insecticidal soap.

Harvest and Storage

As mentioned, you don’t usually harvest turmeric through the season like you do with leafy herbs. You will have to take care of your plant for 8 to 10 months before harvest time. Eventually, the plant will start to turn yellow and the leaves will start to dry out. That’s when your turmeric is ready to dig up.

Just dig up the plant and cut the rhizomes away from the stems. Wash off the dirt and it’s ready to use. For more turmeric, take one or two pieces of root and start another plant. If you are careful, it is possible to harvest a few root pieces without having to dig up the entire plant.

To use, you will have to peel the root first. Wear gloves, or you will have yellow-stained fingers for quite a few days.

For storage, just keep the unpeeled roots in an air-tight container. Keep it in a cool dark place and your roots should still be in great shape for up to 6 months. It’s not practical for home growers to try drying turmeric in order to make a ground powder. The roots are just used sliced or minced instead.

If you are used to cooking with dry and ground turmeric from the store, take care when using fresh. It’s much stronger in taste and you will only need a small amount to really add its peppery zest to a meal.

15 Responses to “How to Grow Turmeric”

  1. mike curran  Says:
    October 15th, 2010 at 8:01 pm

    I live in Highland Park, IL, 60035. Is there some place nearby where I can buy rhizome root
    that is guaranteed organic.

    Thank you very much.

    Mike Curran

  2. Keith  Says:
    December 13th, 2010 at 5:28 pm

    Mike, I purchased Turmeric rhizomes from a store called Whole Foods. Can’t say weather or not Whole Foods has a store in your area and mine was in Tampa, Florida. My Turmeric plant is beautiful and I brag about it to all of my Indian friends. LOL

  3. Michelle Martin  Says:
    January 25th, 2011 at 9:22 pm

    You can purchase Turmeric root from most Indian grocery stores, but it is rarely organic. Whole Foods will carry it on occasion.

  4. Kenn Mann  Says:
    May 4th, 2011 at 1:11 pm

    I’m juicing turmeric “root” with the omega 8004 juicer.
    I just bought 10lbs of rhizomes for $125 but that has given me enough for half a year and im planting at least 3.

    delicious nutritious and cheap in bulk

    I got mine from Marxfoods.com

  5. Shreela  Says:
    May 5th, 2011 at 4:00 pm

    Houston’s Fiesta Mart on Edgebrook (off I-45 S) had some turmeric root. That’s why I’m searching how to start it, thanks! I’m glad I could find it there, because the Indian stores I know about are on the other side of town.

  6. Norma Ziemek  Says:
    May 30th, 2011 at 12:19 pm

    My turmeric root pieces were kept in a garlic pottery container along with my garlic and after a few weeks they sprouted and are ready to plant.

  7. presa1200  Says:
    June 8th, 2011 at 1:11 pm

    in southeast asian countries, we do harvest the leaves for cooking. they add a nice aroma to the Rendang (beef cooked in coconut milk and spices)

  8. Terri  Says:
    August 27th, 2011 at 7:42 pm

    I have to disagree with the statement that turmeric won’t grow below 65 degrees F. I live in central Mississippi and I know it lives through 18 degrees F. It disappears, then takes a while to show up again (several weeks after its neighboring ginger). I bought 4 tubers at a health food store…planted them all…All are well. Patiently hoping for a bloom.

  9. cidpusa  Says:
    September 6th, 2011 at 10:34 pm

    Can I grow turmeric in any season

  10. Sam  Says:
    September 14th, 2011 at 9:15 am

    EastBranchGinger.com sells both Tumeric and Ginger seed-rhizomes from the fall till early spring. I’ve had good luck growing baby-ginger in zone 7–but it won’t over-winter here.

  11. Tasleem  Says:
    September 15th, 2011 at 4:34 am

    Hi all

    I have a turmeric plant 30days old. Can one one guide me which is the suitable liquid fertilizer.

  12. maysoon  Says:
    November 24th, 2011 at 3:48 am

    Hi Tasleem , can i know where did you live so i can get some turmeric seeds from you ??

  13. Hannan Ahmad  Says:
    February 17th, 2012 at 6:03 am

    you did not tell temperatures that are required to grow the plant. I live in Pakistan and here Kasur is the best region to grow turmeric. But i want to grow it in Rabwah, so please tell me the temperatures or right season to start planting this crop. Right now it is winter and I have considerable supply of turmeric roots, but I am reluctant from planting these up coz the weather is cold.

  14. jane  Says:
    March 28th, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    Hi, I live in Sydney Australia. Just bought a lovely little tumeric plant and cant wait to see it growing in my garden. They tell me the flower is beautiful. I like the idea of using the leaves in Rendang. Any recipies anyone? you all sound like you are more familiar with tumeric than me!

  15. frank murscoe  Says:
    April 28th, 2012 at 12:45 pm

    i live in florence alabama.right now the temperatures are ideal for turmeric.do you think i should start growing it inside in november and than transplant it outside in mid may.

Leave a Response








(Email field must be filled in)

Top of page...