Turmeric Plant Information : Growing Turmeric Plants in Pots

Turmeric Plant is a perennial herb that re-shoots every spring. Its scientific name is Curcuma domestica syn. Curcuma longa with family ingiberaceae, the ginger family (how to grow ginger). The popular varieties of turmeric plant are Curcuma longa, Curcuma zedoaria and Curcuma aromatica. Turmeric is known by different names in different countries. Some of the turmeric names are curcumin, hidden ginger, Queen lily, Indian saffron, ukon, nghe, wong-keong, Curcumae Longae (Latin name), terre merite in French and Haldi in India. Turmeric health benefits are now well established.

Continue reading below the detailed information and tips on growing turmeric root in containers at home garden including pictures, fertilization and pests and diseases.
The turmeric plants have very attractive large leaves which will give your garden a lush tropical look (see the picture of turmeric plant below.). You can use fresh turmeric root or turmeric powder in vegetable curries and also in many natural beauty recipes.

Growing turmeric organically in pots at home garden is not difficult using a turmeric root if you follow the step-by-step tips and turmeric growing information given below.

HOW TO GROW TURMERIC PLANT

Although it is a tropical plant that thrives on heat and moisture, turmeric plant can be grown in temperate areas in summer. I am growing turmeric in Sydney, Australia in pots, the plants look great with its stripy long leaves year round, except in winter when the leaves become yellow. I have encouraged many of my friends in Australia to grow turmeric, and they are now growing it in ground and pots.

Turmeric Plant Description

Growing Turmeric in Pot

The turmeric plants grow 70-90 cm high and will slowly spread to form large clumps with underground rhizomes. The plants have broad green tropical-style leaves providing a beautiful view throughout the summer growing season. The turmeric plant produces very beautiful and attractive white flowers (see the photo of turmeric flower).

The eating part of the plant is roots or rhizomes. In India, the Haldi roots are cooked and eaten as vegetable curry with roti or bread. In Indonesia, the young shoots and rhizomes are eaten raw.

Growing Turmeric in Containers or Garden Beds?

Turmeric can be grown both in garden beds or in wide containers with similar yield. Only requirement is that the soil should not be water retaining, as water-logging will rot the rhizomes, reducing the yield.

I planted 4 turmeric rhizomes in a pot of size 75 cm long, 30 cm wide and 30 cm deep 2 years ago. The turmeric plants produced more than 5 kg of fresh turmeric in 2 years, and the plants are still going on for the new crop.

Turmeric Plant Flower

The advantages of growing turmeric plant in containers is that the plant can be moved in sun; and also indoors if there is snow or frost.

Another advantage of growing turmeric in pots is that you can grow turmeric if you live in an apartment and you don't have a garden bed. In India and elsewhere, grow your own organic turmeric in balconies, verandas, terraces, backyards, front yards, and similar places.

Turmeric Growing Zones

Turmeric is a tropical summer plant, needing heat and moisture, temperatures between 20 and 30 °C (68–86 °F). The plant will die in the winter. The plant can grow anywhere in summer. It can grow in USDA Zones 7b - 10b. The plants can not tolerate climate colder than 18°C. As a matter of fact, turmeric can grow in any zones if the roots do not freeze like south Florida where it can grow outside even in winter. In Australia, turmeric plant can be grown in Sydney and other cities in summer.

When To Plant Turmeric?

In tropic regions, turmeric can be planted any time, but elsewhere plant it in spring to summer. I found that turmeric roots sprout well when the soil becomes warm.

Where To Plant Turmeric?

Turmeric thrives best in direct or indirect sun, but it can also grow in light shade. However, heavy shade for prolong time will reduce the yield. Also if grown in in full sun, keep the soil wet at all the time.

Soil For Planting Turmeric

Turmeric plant requires a well-drained loamy fertile soils. Mix cow manure, compost (how to make compost), river sand and some all purpose fertilizer (garden soil preparation ) in the soil.

Planting Turmeric

Turmeric can not be planted by rhizomes as the plant does not produce seeds for propagation. You can start your turmeric plants by using turmeric rhizomes.

Fresh Turmeric Root

1. Buy some turmeric roots from vegetable shops to grow your own plants. Or you can plant rhizomes from your previous year's produce.
2. Select small rhizomes with one or two buds. You can call them seeds.
3. You can plant turmeric rhizomes 20-25 cm apart, just bury them in wet soil 6-7 cm deep, or plant them on ridges. Do not water until the shoots appear. The roots will germinate/shoot in 3-8 weeks depending on the soil temperature.
4. How to germinate turmeric in colder regions?Isom has suggested to use a 60 watt incandescent light bulb in an oven and place the pot to raise the soil temperature, which helps in sprouting the turmeric root. You can measure the temperature on top and bottom racks with a thermometer. The air temperature on the top rack can reach up to 110°F (43°C), while on the below rack can be 100°F (38°C).
5. As for sprouting (or germinating seeds) that require warmer temperature to get going -- What I've done is replace the 40 watt oven light bulb with an ordinary 60 watt bulb and keep it on. It has to be an incandescent bulb too that gets hot. I put a thermometer in the oven to check the temperature. On a top rack near the bulb, air temperature is 110°F (43°C), although soil temperature is much less but still very warm. Closer to the front of the oven on a rack near the bottom, air temperature is 100°F (38°C). Some seeds like it VERY warm for germinating like tomatoes. 
6. You need to grow fresh plants every year. Or leave a few roots inside while harvesting, it will re-shoot in spring.
7. Once the plants grow, keep them well watered.
8. Bring your turmeric indoors if the air temperatures goes below below 10 deg C or 50 deg F.
9. Note: You can start turmeric in pots indoors and move the pots outdoors when the temperature start to rise.

Watering Turmeric Plant

1. The turmeric plants require consistently and adequately watering. Over watering will slow down growth.
2. The tips of the turmeric leaves will burn if the plant is in too much mid day sun or if the soil becomes dry.
3. If you are growing your turmeric in a container, water only when you feel the soil slightly dry to the touch. This will prevent leaching out of nutrients due to over watering.
4. If your turmeric is grown in a sandy soil or your plant is growing in dry low humidity area, water often or mist the leaves.

Fertilizer for Turmeric Plant

1. Fertilize your turmeric plants 4-5 times using a general purpose vegetable and fruits fertilizer during the growing period.
2. Fertilize around the base of the shoots but away from the stems.
3. I fertilize my turmeric plants with a general purpose liquid fertilizer during the growing season every third week.
4. If growing turmeric in a container, feeding with fertilizer will provide adequate nutrients to the plants.
5. If the turmeric leaves becoming yellow or burn at the edges, it means that you are over-watering and/or signs of insufficient nutrients.

Harvesting Turmeric

You can harvest turmeric in 9 to 10 months after planting. The leaves turning yellow or stems drying are indications of maturity of turmeric plant and the correct time/season for the turmeric rhizomes to be harvested.

Harvesting is easy, just dig up the entire plant including the roots.

Sometimes I do not harvest the whole turmeric clump as it is difficult to consume so much. I just dig carefully at the side of a clump and remove rhizomes as needed.

I have harvested approximately 800 grams of fresh roots per plant.

Video on how to grow turmeric in containers

White Turmeric

White Turmeric (Curcuma zedoaria, family Zingiberaceae, also just called Zedoaria) bears yellow flowers with red and green bracts. It has a stronger pungent taste similar to ginger with a smell of mango. In India, it is known as Amba Haldi. The white haldi is used as spice and salads and pickles. The root is good for digestion.

Pests and Diseases on Turmeric Plants

1. Tiny spider mites may pose a problem. The spider mites in large numbers may kill the plant. Forceful water spray of the turmeric plant can wash away spider mites. I spray the foliage with neem oil spray once a month.
2. Turmeric plants are prone to fungal diseases such as leaf spot and leaf blotch that cause brown spots on the leaves and may cause leaves to dry and wilt. Spraying an organic fungicides can help.
3. The root and rhizome rot can dry the leaves and rhizomes are decayed.

How to Store Fresh Turmeric

1. Wipe fresh turmeric roots and wrap in a paper towel and place in a zip lock plastic bag. Place in refrigerator. This way it will remain fresh for 3-4 weeks. To use, cut the needed piece, and refrigerate again. For longer storage, slice, wrap and then freeze for up to 2 months.
2. Blend turmeric rhizomes with some water and freeze in ice cube containers.
3. Peel the rhizomes and place them in a jar with vodka and store in the fridge for at least a year.
4. Peel turmeric root and place in honey for at least a year.
5. Freezing turmeric retains the texture, color and flavor. However, frozen turmeric is often dried out if not properly packed.

How To Make Turmeric Powder

1. Boil turmeric in water, cut the them into small pieces, spread on a plate and cover it with a mesh. Place in sun and let them dry until completely dry.
2. Grind the pieces to a fine powder in a spice or coffee grinder.
3. Store the powder in airtight glass bottle in a cool place.

References

1. Ikisan, Disease Management in Turmeric