How to Grow and Care for Turmeric

Turmeric is a tropical perennial plant grown for its edible, deep orange-yellow rhizomes that add flavor, color, and nutritional value to a wide variety of dishes. The rhizomes, which are often referred to as turmeric roots, are used fresh or dried and ground as a spice. Turmeric is in the same plant family as ginger. While it is primarily grown for culinary purposes, the canna-like flowers make turmeric an attractive foliage plant. If grown in ideal conditions, the plant produces flower stems with showy bracts in late summer.

Turmeric is planted in the spring.

How to Plant Turmeric

When to Plant

Whether you can plant turmeric outdoors or need to start it indoors depends on your location. Outdoor planting is possible if your climate offers the 10-month time window of warm weather that turmeric needs to mature in the fall. To plant turmeric, the soil must be consistently 55 degrees F or higher and the air temperature around 70 degrees F. In a mild climate, plant turmeric in the late winter or early spring once the temperature hits that mark. Otherwise, start to sprout turmeric indoors around the same time.

Selecting a Planting Site

Choose a site in full sun or partial shade with loamy, well-draining soil. In southern locations, a garden spot that has morning sun and some afternoon shade is preferable.

Spacing, Depth, and Support

If the rhizomes look dry and shriveled, soak them in tepid water for 24 hours. 

Cut large rhizomes with many buds into 1- to 3-inch pieces so that each piece has at least two to three buds. Plant the pieces about 2 inches deep with the buds pointing up and spacing them 3 to 4 feet apart.

Turmeric Care

Light

In cooler northern locations, turmeric grows best in full sun. In southern climates, it benefits from partial sun, especially during the hot afternoon hours.

Soil

Turmeric likes a rich soil. Adding compost and/or manure helps achieve this. The soil should also drain well.

Water

The water needs of the plant vary depending on the growth stage. After planting and until the rhizomes sprout, water it moderately; at this point, turmeric does not absorb a lot of water yet and overwatering leads to root rot. Once it starts growing, water it regularly in the absence of sufficient rain to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.

Fertilizer

Turmeric requires regular fertilization during the growing season in the spring and summer. Feed it with a complete, balanced water-soluble fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, once a month. For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.

Harvesting Turmeric

In the fall or early winter, after the foliage has started to yellow and fade, carefully dig out some of the rhizomes. Leave at least a portion of each rhizome in the ground; it will regrow next spring.

Unpeeled fresh turmeric keeps in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for several weeks. For longer storage, freeze or dry it to grind it into a powder afterward.

How to Grow Turmeric in Pots

Growing turmeric in a pot indoors is recommended below zone 8 because it allows you to easily move it outdoors for the summer and back indoors for the winter.

1. Fill a large container or a grow bag with slightly damp, well-draining potting mix.
2. If the rhizomes look dry and shriveled, soak them in tepid water for 24 hours.
3. Cut large rhizomes with many buds into 1- to 3-inch pieces so that each piece has at least two to three buds.
4. Plant one piece of rhizome in each container, about 2 inches deep and with the buds pointing up.
5. Keep the room temperature around 70 degrees F.
6. Mist daily until you see sprouts emerging. After sprouting, move to a routine of daily watering, water enough so the soil never dries out.
7. Once the outdoor temperature remains consistently above 70 degrees F during the day and does not drop below 50 degrees F at nighttime, move the pot outdoors and put it in a sunny spot that is sheltered from high winds.
8. As potted plants dry out much faster outdoors, increase the watering. In hot, dry weather mist the leaves.

Pruning

If you spot a brown leaf or two, simply prune it out using a clean cutting tool. Brown leaves may mean the plant needs more water. However yellowing, dying leaves are normal when the plant is going into dormancy in the winter.

Propagating Turmeric

Turmeric is easily propagated by division. Do this while the plant is dormant. Here's how to do it:

1. Dig up a mature turmeric plant.
2. Remove excess soil to reveal shoots (they look like fingers) hanging from the bottom of the plant. There should be hairy roots dangling from the shoots as well.
3. Separate the "fingers" from the main plant and allow the cut end to dry.
4. If the shoots (fingers) you divided still have attached foliage, remove the leaves. Some smaller shoots will not have any leaves or foliage at all.
5. Plant the shoots in the ground, following the planting instructions above.

Potting and Repotting Turmeric

Repotting is only necessary if you grow turmeric as a perennial. If you harvest a portion of the rhizomes every fall, the plant is unlikely to outgrow its container very soon. However, turmeric benefits from repotting just to refresh the potting mix after a year or two.

Repotting is best done at the end of the dormancy period in late winter. Gently lift the plant out of the pot. Don’t remove any of the excess soil, leaving it on helps the plant adjust to the new potting soil. Discard all of the old soil and clean and sanitize the pot. Fill it with fresh potting mix. Plant the turmeric at the same depth as the previous pot and water it well.

Overwintering

In a climate where turmeric won’t survive the winter, you will need to move the plants indoors for the winter.

Dig out plants that were grown in garden soil. Cut off the top growth and carefully shake off excess soil. Store the rhizomes in peat moss, sawdust, or vermiculite in a cool, dry location. Keep the storage medium slightly moist throughout winter by occasionally misting it.

Move potted turmeric indoors after removing the above-ground portion of the plant. Water it sparingly. The plant is dormant and has no specific light requirements but keep it in a location where the temperatures are consistently in the 50s or low 60s F. Return it outdoors once the weather warms up in the spring.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Turmeric is not prone to get serious pests or diseases. When the soil is too dry, spider mites may appear. Spray them away with water or use insecticidal soaps. Slugs and snails like to snack on the plant's young leaves, which may necessitate some form of control.

Soil and overwatered soil lead to soft rot, dry rot, Fusarium rot, and rhizome rot.