Herb
Turmeric
Curcuma longa · also Indian saffron
A leafy ginger relative grown for its bright orange rhizomes. It thrives in the tropics and subtropics and can be grown in pots or a warm, sheltered spot in the south. Plant pieces in spring into warm soil, then dig the rhizomes when the leaves yellow in late autumn or winter.
- SunFull sun or part shade
- Spacing25 cm apart
- First pick39–43 weeks
- FrostFrost tender
- HeatCopes with some heat
- Sow depth60 mm
When to plant where you live
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Grows well with
From seed to plate
Plant
25 cm apart, rows 40 cm, seed 60 mm deep. Full sun or part shade.
Water
Moist through summer but never waterlogged; drier once leaves die back.
Feed
Fertile, well-drained loam with plenty of compost.
Pick, from about 39 weeks
Dig 9 to 10 months after planting, when lower leaves yellow or stems fall over.
Good to know
- Plant pieces with one or two buds 5 to 7 cm deep in September or October
- Dig at the side of a clump to take a little at a time
- Divide and replant clumps every 3 to 4 years
- Wear gloves; the juice stains skin and benches
Common problems
- Rhizomes rotplant in free-draining soil or raised beds
- Poor yield in heavy shadegive light shade at most
- Cold damagemove pots under cover in winter and keep them fairly dry
If you use a garden chemical, follow the label exactly. Try organic options first, and ask the community or Plant Doctor if you're unsure.
Safety: Everyday food; fresh turmeric and the dried spice are sold in supermarkets. Large amounts may upset a pet's stomach.
Where this information comes from
- Green Harvest: Turmeric (Curcuma longa) growing information (growing, medium confidence, checked 29 Oct 2026)
- Everyday supermarket food; no ASPCA entry checked (toxicity, low confidence)
Reviewed by AI cross-check (Claude), not a horticulturist on 29 Oct 2026. Version 1.