How To Plant, Grow, and Care for Turmeric Root

Growing turmeric is playfully similar to using a slow cooker in the kitchen. It’s a “set it and forget it” type of experience. Most of how to grow turmeric will be simple with the right growing conditions or ingredients. Turmeric requires fertile, well-drained soil in a location with lots of sunshine and ample water. It requires occasional checks to ensure soil is wet, not soggy, and periodic fertilizer much as you would layer on the spices in your slow cooker. After you patiently wait, months after planting, you’ll reap your rewards. Don’t let the long growing season of ten months scare you; if your climate is right, it requires very little care.

Turmeric can be used fresh, dried, or powdered as a peppery addition to a range of dishes and is popular in Indian cooking. Its bright yellow/orange color imparts a similar hue to foods that it is cooked with giving its other name of Indian saffron. It is most sought after for its medicinal properties.

Because turmeric is grown from the rhizome or tuberous root, it is easy to save and reap the rewards season after season. Save a few for your next planting! You can start with rhizomes from the grocery store or invest in some from seed houses with rare offerings or even find plant starts from nurseries specializing in tropical species.

What is ‌Turmeric‌?

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a tropical species that has numerous culinary uses as well as a dye. It is the root or rhizome that is most sought after. The bright yellow or orange rhizomes can be used fresh or dried and have several medicinal properties as an anti-inflammatory and are recommended for those with arthritis or other inflammation. Turmeric has a deep, earthy flavor with a bit of peppery spice and bitterness.

Native Area

When cooking with turmeric, expect all of your tools and pans to have a temporary yellow-orange stain. It is this dye property of turmeric that traveled from its native Indian subcontinent throughout Southeast Asia with the spread of Hinduism and Buddhism. The yellow dye is used to color the robes of monks and priests. Turmeric yields a warm gold color on undyed natural cotton fabrics, silk, and wool. Turmeric powder can add a golden hue to curries, rice, and milk and a natural food coloring for Easter eggs or cakes.

Characteristics

So like ginger that it’s actually sometimes called yellow ginger, turmeric is in the same family, Zingiberaceae, and has similar growing conditions to its zingy cousin. In addition to its culinary roots, it is a gorgeous perennial to have in your garden. The big glossy leaves add a tropical feel, and the flowers are gorgeous.

If your conditions are cooler than its native conditions in India and Southeast Asia, it may not flower for you. But if it does, you’re in for a show. The flowers are typically white, with some having purple or pink tips, and are edible! The flower petals and light green flower bracts have a strong smell but a mild turmeric taste.

Planting‌

Turmeric has a long season of nine to ten months. Fortunately, it doesn’t require a lot of care during that time, so long as you set it up for success.

When‌ ‌to‌ ‌Plant‌ ‌

Count backward ten months from the date of your first frost. For most climates, that will require planting indoors in January or February. If you live in a season with a milder climate, you can start directly outside in March. Cool soil conditions will result in a slow start. You want the timing to have a majority of its growth in the heat of summer and enter dormancy in late fall. When it enters dormancy it is ready for harvest.

Where‌ ‌to‌ ‌Plant‌ ‌

If you live in a climate that has relatively warm conditions over a long season, you can grow your turmeric in a raised or in-ground bed. If the soil is too cool, the rhizomes will be very slow to sprout. Fresh turmeric can grow up to three feet tall so ensure that you have plenty of space and will not unnecessarily shade neighboring plants.

If you live in a milder climate, accommodate changes in the growing climate. Grow turmeric in a pot that can be moved indoors when necessary. Regardless of the zone, planting in pots allows the turmeric to be moved around to give it plenty of heat and sunshine but allows for shade or providing filtered sun if temperatures are extreme.

How‌ ‌to‌ ‌Plant‌ ‌

Select plump rhizomes with several bumps or bud locations along the side. The larger the rhizome, the quicker you will see the shoots. Don’t be tempted to cut into small sections as you might with potatoes. Plant turmeric with three to four bumps each. If you cut your rhizomes into smaller pieces, cure them for at least a week for the cut to dry and scab over, thus reducing the chance of rot.

Lay your turmeric root flat in the soil and cover with one inch of soil. Keep it wet but not soggy. If starting turmeric indoors, use a small three to five-inch pot or a plastic clamshell with potting soil. Place in the warmest location you have to speed up the growth of shoots. You can also use a seedling heating mat. It is not necessary to use a grow light until you see the green shoots emerge. 

Once you have a shoot three to five inches high, it should be transferred to a larger pot. If you’re keeping your turmeric indoors, you will need something that can be under a grow light and/or a sunny window. Continue to provide a heating mat to maintain 70°F (21°C). If planting outside, the started rhizomes can be placed four to six inches apart and tow to four inches deep.

Don’t be alarmed if it takes a long time until you see the shoots. Turmeric requires warm conditions to wake up and can be very slow to start. Keep them moist and have patience.

How to Grow

Try to replicate the native tropical growing conditions of turmeric: warm with an ample amount of rainfall. If those conditions are met, you’ll find success!

Light

Turmeric is happiest when given a location in the garden with full sun, moderately warm temperatures, and a humid environment. During excessive temperatures above 90°F (32°C), it will require afternoon shade and extra water. In zones 8 and above, these conditions can be achieved outside year-round. In hot, dry zones, place turmeric in a container on an afternoon-shaded patio with misters to simulate these conditions. 

Water‌

When starting turmeric rhizomes, provide ample water but do not allow them to be excessively wet or they will begin to rot. The soil should feel wet, but not soggy. A location with good drainage is necessary. Using a slow drip hose or soaker hose can help with watering consistently, especially if it’s on a hose timer.

Once the turmeric has sprouted, keep the same wet but not soggy conditions. It may be warmer and later in the season, so more water will be needed to maintain these conditions. When the harvest is approaching, cut back the watering for a week or two. Pulling the rhizomes out of drier soil is more likely to keep them intact.

Soil‌

Turmeric likes moisture, but providing a loose, well-draining soil is key. Clay soil will need to be worked and loosened to allow plants to expand easily underground. Add ample amounts of aged compost to lighten up the soil. Perlite can improve drainage of particularly muddy, wet soils. If filling pots, a quality bagged potting mix will work well.

Temperature

Turmeric’s ideal range is between 68 and 86°F (20-30°C). Growing turmeric in cooler zones will require moving indoors to provide these conditions in early spring and fall. It will not withstand freezing temperatures, and rhizomes will not actively grow below 60°F (16°C).‌ ‌

Fertilizing‌

Turmeric is also a heavy feeder, so use a soil mix rich in organic matter with quality compost to start. Once actively growing, feed throughout the season every few weeks. Worm castings, organic liquid fertilizer, granular organic fertilizers, or compost tea are good choices. If you notice your growing container losing volume, top off with good-quality compost.

Maintenance

You may notice outer turmeric leaves starting to turn brown. If this is early in the season, it may indicate it is receiving too much sun and could use some shade. Prune off browning leaves to provide energy for new growth.  

If this is occurring towards the end of the growing season at around ten months of growth, you’re almost to harvest time! Leave the leaves as-is and reduce water in preparation for harvest.

Propagation‌

Typically, the only viable method of growing turmeric is from rhizomes. Unlike many other species, it doesn’t produce useful seed, instead developing primarily by root expansion.

After harvest, don’t use all your turmeric. Store some for planting next year if you found your turmeric to be a variety that thrived and was to your liking. Store planting stock in a cool, dark place until planting time. 

Harvesting‌

Fresh turmeric root is ready to harvest when it enters dormancy. This is when the turmeric roots will be largest and the most mature with the most flavor for your future food needs. Time is your biggest indicator. It should be at least nine to ten months since sprouting. The outer leaves should also start to turn yellowish-brown and die back.

If your growing conditions closely resemble turmeric’s tropical native territory you may see it flower. The flowers are delicate and white, with some purple or pink tips. The flower is not an indicator that it is ready to harvest and usually occurs in late spring/early summer.

Using pots for growing also makes harvesting easier. Instead of pulling up on the perennials, turn the pot on its side and gently dump out the contents, sifting through with your hand to release rhizomes from the soil. Rhizomes tend to grow side nodules and resemble hands or thumbs. They can break off easily if you pull from the top. This method of harvesting also doesn’t use a tool, which is risky as it can cause you to stab or damage the rhizomes. A digging fork can also be used in raised beds or in-ground to pry up the rhizomes.

Post-harvest, the fresh rhizomes can be gently rinsed to remove the dirt. Any long stringy roots can be cut using clean shears. The juncture between the stalk and the rhizome is where to separate them.

If harvesting leaves or flowers, cut only what you’ll need. These don’t store well, so you’ll need to use those fresh from the garden.

Storage

Store fresh turmeric in an air-tight container in the fridge. It is best to plan on using it fresh within a few weeks or prepare for long-term preservation as dehydrated pieces, powder, or frozen. Turmeric powder is probably the most versatile and most common culinarily. 

To prepare turmeric powder, cut turmeric roots into small pieces and dehydrate. The pieces should be dry enough to snap when broken. Grind in a food processor, blender, or spice grinder.  

Common Problems

Most issues that arise with growing turmeric are likely due to conditions outside of the optimal temperature and moisture range. Too much water, excessively dry conditions, direct sun in extreme temperatures, or cold conditions can lead to poor growth and pest problems.

Growing‌ ‌Problems‌

Selecting the proper growing location will avoid many problems. Containers with good drainage are recommended.

Excessive watering or poor drainage will cause fungal diseases and rot. Ensure water drains easily from the soil. Check the soil a few inches down. It should be moist but not overly wet. You can adjust your watering regimen to maintain the right level. If watering with timers, please keep in mind that you are providing frequent water to keep the area wet but not in a way that causes prolonged soggy conditions.

Pests‌

With a container, you can start with good quality potting soil that is new and will not introduce shoot borers, root-knot nematodes, burrowing nematodes, and lesion nematodes that will damage rhizomes. If growing in-ground or raised beds, it is necessary to rotate the crops grown each season to avoid these pests. Treatments of beneficial nematodes ahead of the season will prevent them as well.

If they are weakened, you might also find them an easy target for pests like aphids or spider mites. Ensure the watering conditions are appropriate and the leaves are not too dry. Nutrient levels should be adequate, and regular fertilizer should be provided. Focus your energy on remedying what is causing it to be weak. Remove aphids or spider mites with insecticidal soap, neem oil, or a strong spray of the hose.

Diseases

Turmeric is mildly susceptible to root rot caused by pythium. It’s essential to make sure that while the soil remains moist, it’s not soggy. The addition of a microbial biofungicide can be beneficial.

Frequently‌ ‌Asked‌ ‌Questions‌