Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the patio, or anywhere else, turmeric is a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing turmeric.
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Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Does Turmeric Belong To?
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, also known as the ginger family.
Some of its relatives include ginger and cardamom.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Turmeric?
The minimum container depth recommended for turmeric is 10 inches.
The container should also be at least 18 inches wide.
Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Turmeric?
Some of turmeric's best companions are as follows:
- Apple
- Cherry
- Peach
- Plum
- Pear
- Peppers like poblano and banana pepper
- Cilantro
- Lemongrass
- Ginger
- Beans like green beans
- Peas
- Tomato
- Eggplant
- Onion
- Sunflower
- Banana
- Peanut
- Elecampane
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Turmeric?
Turmeric is not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with turmeric are as follows:
What Soil Conditions Does Turmeric Need?
Turmeric prefers loose, well-draining, sandy to loamy soil.
How Long Does Turmeric Take to Germinate?
Turmeric takes 2-4 weeks to germinate at a temperature of 70-85°F.
How Much Sun Does Turmeric Need?
In regions with cool summers, turmeric needs full sun.
In regions with hot summers, turmeric needs some shade such as dappled shade or part shade.
Sun recommendations can vary by region.
How Much Water Does Turmeric Need?
Turmeric's soil should not be allowed to dry out. It should be damp but not soggy or waterlogged.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Turmeric?
Turmeric grows fastest in temperatures of 65-95°F.
This is its ideal temperature range. Although it will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety. Some turmeric varieties are bred for late harvests and others for warmer climates.
How Tall Does Turmeric Get?
The average height of the turmeric plant is 1-7 feet.
Is Turmeric Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Turmeric is a perennial herb, meaning that it lives for longer than a couple years, when grown in Hardiness Zones 8 or higher or when brought inside for the winter.
Otherwise, it is grown as an annual, meaning that it starts and ends its life in the same year.
How Does Turmeric Reproduce?
Turmeric reproduces by seed or rhizome.
How Much Turmeric is Produced Per Plant?
For turmeric, how much is produced per plant (also called the yield) largely depends on the type and variety.
Most turmeric plants produce 1-2 pounds of rhizomes per plant per year.
Can Turmeric Be Ingested?
Turmeric rhizomes (tuberous roots), leaves, and stems are edible.
Turmeric rhizomes have anti-inflammatory and liver-supportive properties and can be used in herbal preparations. The most common preparations are tea and tinctures. An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:5 at 50% alcohol is suggested for a turmeric tincture.
Those who take blood thinners may choose to consult with a physician before consuming a large amount of turmeric.
There are no other known safety concerns associated with ingesting turmeric rhizomes, leaves, or stems.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of turmeric rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for turmeric here!
Turmeric is featured in these Plant to Plate articles: