The so-called yellow or saffron root turmeric is cultivated in countries such as India and China for use as a spice and dye. Among the more than 80 different varieties of turmeric, there are various varieties with particularly attractive flowers, so that Curcuma alismatifolia, for example, is often sold as a flowering plant in pots.
When does turmeric bloom and how long does the flowering period last?
Turmeric usually blooms between June and August when planted in the garden, and one inflorescence can last up to three weeks. Other flowering periods can be achieved with windowsill culture. Multiple inflorescences are possible within about three months.
What’s special about the flowers of the saffron root
The visually striking, spike-shaped inflorescences of the turmeric plant sit on a pseudo-stem, which is formed from the leaf sheaths of the green leaves. The flowers are not very relevant for the propagation and cultivation of the plants, as dividing and planting the tuberous rhizomes is the simpler variant of propagation. The actual flowers of the saffron root are relatively inconspicuous. The visually more dominant part of the flowers, which come in different colors depending on the variety, consists of colored bracts that tower over the actual flowers.
Flowering time and duration of turmeric
When planted in the garden and planted indoors from spring, turmeric usually blooms in the summer months of June to August. However, other flowering periods can also be achieved when growing on the windowsill. An inflorescence can bloom for up to three weeks before dying on its own. If dead flowers are cut off relatively quickly, several inflorescences can be formed one after the other within a period of about three months.
How to care for plants after flowering
The above-ground parts of the plant are cut off in autumn at the latest when they have wilted. Then the tubers are dug up well before the first frost and overwintered in a dry and dark room in the house at a room temperature of around 15 degrees Celsius.
When overwintering in a pot, the following advice should be taken into account:
- don’t fertilize anymore from September
- water only very sparingly or not at all
- overwinter in the dark (at around 15 degrees Celsius in the house)
- Activate the new growth by moving it to a warmer place (around 22 to 24 degrees Celsius)
Tip
The inflorescences of turmeric are also often used as cut flowers. Alternatively, you can easily cultivate the plant in a pot on the windowsill or in the winter garden.
