- Family: Zingiberaceae
- Species: Curcuma longa
- Common Name: Turmeric, curcuma, yellow ginger
- Type: Perennial, herbaceous
- Light: Full sun, Partial sun
- Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral
- Soil: Well draining, rich soil
- Zone: 8-11 (USDA) – Can be extended in a dome
Growing Turmeric
Turmeric is in the ginger plant family and is easy to grow in pots or in a greenhouse. If you have a Growing Dome, you can grow it all year-round in whatever vessel you wish.
Best Location in a Dome
As a tropical plant, turmeric often grows in dappled light in humid climates. Plant turmeric under taller crops, but remember to allow room for the rhizomes to spread. Another option is to grow your turmeric in a grow bag or a pot inside your dome. Due to the humidity and heat preferences of turmeric, an area near the above-ground pond in a Growing Dome greenhouse is ideal.
Turmeric can grow up to three feet tall and needs room for proper rhizome formation, so consider the size at maturity when choosing a location.
Planting Turmeric
Turmeric is a slow-growing plant, taking 8-10 months to mature. Successfully growing this plant may depend on where you live, whether you are planting in a greenhouse or in the garden and if you will be heating your greenhouse.
So where do you buy turmeric rhizomes? Your best option is to buy them from seed catalogs or nurseries. They should be plump and free of mold. Organic grocery stores are another possibility, but it is best to ask if they have been treated with growth inhibitors.
Preparing Turmeric Rhizomes
Cut large rhizomes into pieces about one to one and a half inches each. Each piece needs to have 1 to 2 eyes or buds. After cutting, allow them to dry for a few days prior to planting.
Once you are ready to plant, check your rhizomes. If they look a bit shriveled, soak them in water for a day before planting them.
Turmeric rhizomes need a minimum soil temperature of 55 degrees at night with a daytime soil temperature of 70 degrees. This means you need to plant them in March or April at the latest, unless you decide to move the plant into your home for the winter. In zones 8-11 plant turmeric in an outdoor garden when the soil is at least 55 degrees at night. In the cool climate zones 7 and below start turmeric rhizomes indoors in mid-spring. They can be transplanted outside when the weather is warm and the plants are at least 8 inches tall.
Planting Turmeric Rhizomes
The rhizomes can also be started inside your home and transplanted to your greenhouse when they are at least 8 inches tall. You can start them inside your Growing Dome in a small pot and transplant them into a raised garden bed, or simply up-pot them to a larger size vessel as they begin to grow.
To start turmeric indoors in pots, plant them 2-3 inches deep in pots that are at least 12 inches wide and 12 inches deep. Use a well-draining potting mix and keep the pots warm. They should be around 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a heating mat if necessary. The pots can be moved outside or into a greenhouse when the temperature is at least 68 degrees F.
To grow turmeric in an outdoor garden, the temperature must be at least 68 degrees. Add compost into the planting area. Plant the cut rhizomes 2 to 3 inches deep with the buds facing up. Space them 15 inches apart.
Caring for Turmeric
Light: Full sun to partial sun. Turmeric is a tropical plant and can happily grow in sun, shade or dappled light very well. If you are in a very hot climate, plant it where it will get afternoon shade.
Temperature: As a tropical plant, turmeric does best between 68°F to 86°F (20 to 30°C) and does not tolerate extreme cold or dry climates. If growing turmeric in dry climates or with dry indoor air it does require misting. Consider adding a misting system to your Growing Dome kit.
Soil: As turmeric requires a rich soil, adding compost or manure is important. Soil should be well draining.
Water: Mist or water turmeric rhizomes lightly until they sprout. Once the shoots emerge, increase the amount of water. It is best to water regularly and not let the soil dry out.
Best Companion Plants For Turmeric
Companion plants help each other thrive, repel pests, act as trap crops and enhance flavor.
Some companions for turmeric are ginger, lemongrass, coriander, and peppers. If you heat your greenhouse or live in a warmer climate, fruit trees and avocado trees are another good companion for turmeric. A Growing Dome has plenty of vertical space to support these turmeric companions.
Worst Companions For Turmeric
Plants to avoid growing near turmeric include herbaceous plants like mint as they not only compete with other plants for nutrients but also may smother young turmeric plants.
For those who may grow turmeric outside, walnuts and pecans should not be grown nearby as they are allelopathic and can inhibit the growth of other plants.
Managing Pests and Diseases
Turmeric is one of those plants that is relatively pest free. It is important to always check your plants for pests and diseases though.
Some of the pests to watch out for are slugs and snails, which favor young plants. Spider mites will attack weak plants so be sure to keep your turmeric strong and healthy with frequent watering and by misting this tropical plant.
Turmeric does NOT like soggy soil and it can cause root rot! And the part of turmeric we consume is the root. Be sure your turmeric is in well-draining soil or well-draining pots. Use the finger test to check the moisture level or a soil moisture sensor to keep the roots happy.
Harvesting Turmeric
How do you know when to harvest turmeric? We suggest making a note of when you planted the rhizome. In 8-10 months the leaves will turn yellow or brown and the temperature will drop.
Carefully dig up the roots and bring them inside to use or store. Clean the roots and store them in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Another option is to slice and dehydrate the roots. Grind dried turmeric into powder and store it in your spice cabinet.
Clean turmeric roots and freeze them to use later.
The History of Turmeric
Turmeric has been in use for centuries as a dye and for herbal remedies. One of the best known uses has been in India where the yellow dye is used to color the robes of Hindu and Buddhist monks and priests. India produces 80% of the world’s turmeric and also consumes the most.
For centuries it has played a major role in Ayurveda, Siddha medicine and Chinese medicine to name a few.
In the Philippines and Indonesia turmeric is used for body painting as well as food, textile dyeing and medicine. Turmeric was frequently used in spiritual ceremonies to interact with the spirit world.
Turmeric Uses
Most people are familiar with turmeric for its use in cooking, especially Asian dishes. However, you can use it in many recipes…tacos, smoothies, pasta, bake it in bread, add it into your summer drinks and in egg dishes. You can even add turmeric to your pumpkin spice latte!
Use turmeric in other arts as well. Have you used it for crafts or dyeing? Many people use turmeric to make beautiful sunprints with leaves and flowers. To dye fabric with turmeric, try this recipe.
Have you ever tried fire cider? This beverage encourages warmth and circulation, supports seasonal immune resilience, stimulates digestion, and provides comfort during the cold weather. Make your own with the recipe in our blog!
Turmeric Trivia
- Turmeric is used for tinting food, clothing and paper. Be aware it can stain your hands and everything you are using!
- Did you know turmeric can be used for skin wounds and infections?
- Turmeric has been referred to as “Indian saffron” as far back as medieval times. The beautiful color made it a less expensive option than saffron.
- Have you tried a turmeric latte yet? They are a new trend and also called “golden latte” which is milk, turmeric and spices…yum!
- Did you know that one inch of fresh turmeric root equals about 1 teaspoon of dried powder?
- We are familiar with the root and its uses, but turmeric also produces a beautiful flower.
Health Benefits of Turmeric
The ancient spice from the turmeric root has been used for centuries and is popular in cooking and condiments as well as fabric dyes. However, it has been used for medicinal purposes for almost 4,000 years. Skin conditions, allergies and joint pains are just some of the issues turmeric in traditional Ayurvedic medicine.
Research is still being done on the possible health benefits of turmeric, but it does have a high nutritional value.
Some of the possible benefits of turmeric that are being studied are inflammation, degenerative eye conditions, arthritis, anxiety, sore muscles after exercise, cholesterol and kidney health. It is always good to consult your health care provider when adding supplements to your diet.
An article on the Johns Hopkins Medicine website stated: “Some research results show that people who have osteoarthritis reported less joint pain when eating turmeric in recipes,” Brown says. “Turmeric’s effect on mood disorders, depression and dementia have also been explored, but studies are small, so more research will reveal if there is a benefit.”
