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Light Needs
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
Turmeric is part of the ginger plant family and is ideal to grow in the kitchen garden for its edible properties and interesting ornamental presence. The fleshy, ginger-like flowers are flashy and are magnets for beneficial pollinators, especially hummingbirds. The yellow rhizomes are edible and can be used as a natural permanent dye.
Curcuma longa appreciates hot and humid days similar to its native climate in southern and southeast Asia. In the United States, it is hardy in USDA zones 8b-11. All other areas can grow this tuber as an annual or overwinter it as a houseplant. Turmeric can be harvested in the fall as the plants go dormant through the winter months.
Curcurma Care
Curcurma prefers a partly shaded location with moist but free-draining soil. Plant turmeric starts when temperatures are well above 50 degrees F (10 C) in late spring or early summer. Growing Curcuma longa in containers is ideal in climates where it is not hardy. Choose a container with plenty of bottom drainage holes, and use a peat-free potting mix with perlite added for drainage and moisture retention.
When the top growth dies back at the end of the growing season, the tubers can be harvested for food or medicinal purposes. Tubers can also be dried and placed in a frost-free and dry location until ready to plant out the following spring.
Turmeric is a hungry plant that will require regular fertilizing when new shoots emerge in the spring. A balanced 20-20-20 fertilizer is recommended.
Growing Curcurma
Turmeric typically reaches 3-4 feet tall and wide and can be grown with other shade-loving perennials such as hostas, ferns, and caladiums. These tropical plants will need at least 9 months of frost-free temperatures to produce harvestable roots. If you would like to plant turmeric outdoors, start new plants inside in the winter so that the rhizomes are ready for harvest before the first average frost date for your growing zone. Garden-grown turmeric will need to be watered less during dormancy in the winter months. Resume regular watering after the new shoots emerge in the spring. All the spent top growth should be cleared away in the spring to make way for the new season's growth and to remove any pests that may have overwintered.
Turmeric planted as a houseplant will require at least a 6-inch diameter pot per rhizome. Use a multi-purpose potting mix, and fertilize the plants with diluted liquid foliage houseplant food. Liquid seaweed or fish emulsion formulas are ideal and readily available. Plants need bright indirect sunlight and thrive indoors in a west or east-facing window or a few feet away from a south-facing window. Size up the pot every few years to give the rhizomes plenty of space to multiply.
Watering Curcurma
Turmeric appreciates regular water. Only allow the top 1-2 inches of potting soil or garden soil to dry between watering sessions. Indoor-grown plants should be misted often to increase humidity levels around the foliage. Turmeric that is subjected to drying out repeatedly will yield much smaller harvests.
Feeding Curcurma
Fertilize with a diluted liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks to encourage good root growth. An all-purpose fruit and vegetable fertilizer works well, or try liquid comfrey or compost tea mixes.
Curcuma Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 8 - 11 |
Plant Type: |
Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Partial Sun (3 - 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 2 - 7 Feet |
Mature Spread: 3 - 4 Feet |
Spacing: 3 - 4 Feet |
Habit: Upright |
Flower Color(s): Orange, Pink, White, Yellow |
Flower Description: Multi-shades |
Bloom Period: Spring to Summer |
Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Foliage Description: Green Shades |
Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering |
Watering: Average |
Resists: N/A |
Tolerates: N/A |
Attracts: N/A |
Container Role: |
Uses: Borders, Containers, Specimen or Focal Point, Wildlife Gardens |
Features: N/A |
Brand: |
Common Name: Curcuma |
Other Name(s): Turmeric, Kunyit |
Scientific Name: Curcuma |
- SKU:
- 123PLA0045-npn
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
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3.5" Pot
Also Known As:
3.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
~1.42 quarts
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4.25" Pot
Also Known As:
4.25" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.93"H x 4.25"W
Volume:
~1.56 pints
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Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
~1.50 quarts
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#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
~2.26-3.73 quarts
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Best in Class Warranty
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
Arrival Guarantee
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
30 Days
For annuals, houseplants & vegetables, we provide a 30-day warranty to ensure that your plants thrive.
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Pre-Ordered Plants
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated Spring Shipping Schedule
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 24th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants Shipping Now
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.