The plant turmeric, also known as saffron root, is not only a decorative plant for the windowsill or the pot on the terrace, but also a spice plant that has been used for thousands of years. If you follow a few basic tips, you can also grow turmeric yourself in the garden or in the house.
How to grow turmeric correctly?
To grow turmeric, plant rhizomes in a mixture of 70% potting soil and 30% gravel. Choose a warm, sunny location with high humidity and plant the rhizomes 10 to 20 cm apart. Harvest in the fall when the above-ground parts have died back.
Where do you get suitable plant material?
Certain species from the turmeric plant family, which has over 80 varieties, are sold in garden shops as already flowering or pre-grown potted plants. Seeds are rarely available in this country, although growing from seeds would theoretically be possible. As a rule, you purchase the rhizomes, which are visually very reminiscent of ginger, and which sprout relatively quickly after being planted in the ground and appropriately watered.
Which location does turmeric prefer?
Since this plant comes from more tropical regions of India, China and Australia, growing it outdoors is only possible if the tubers are overwintered indoors during the frosty months of the year. Although you should generally choose a warm and sunny location outdoors and on the windowsill, turmeric plants can actually “burn” if there is too much sunlight. Locations close to water are also favorable, as there is generally higher humidity here.
When can turmeric be planted outdoors?
This plant species, which is part of the ginger family, is extremely sensitive to frost. In this country, planting in the garden can usually only take place in May.
Does moving forward in the house make sense?
Since the growing season for turmeric is relatively short in this country, growing the tubers in a pot in the house can definitely make sense. To ensure that the tuber's growth suffers as little as possible when transplanting outdoors, you should proceed with particular caution.
What should be considered when transplanting turmeric?
Specimens grown in pots are usually repotted in spring. A drainage layer of gravel or expanded clay should be added to the lower pot area.
How to propagate turmeric?
The simplest propagation method is dividing the rhizomes. However, make sure that each division also represents a certain weakening, which is why you should not divide the individual pieces smaller than about 3 to 5 cm per piece.
When do turmeric plants bloom?
These plants can bloom all year round indoors, but when grown outdoors, flowering takes place in summer.
When are the tubers harvested?
The rhizomes of turmeric are dug up in the fall, when the above-ground parts of the plant have already died on their own. For storage, the tubers are removed from adhering soil and moisture using a soft cloth. The rhizomes can be used in different ways:
- as a yellow-coloring spice in dried and finely ground form
- cut into small pieces as a seasoning ingredient in Asian recipes
- as a natural remedy
- for renewed cultivation in the following year
Which soil is suitable as a location if you want to grow turmeric yourself?
The substrate for growing turmeric can consist of around 70% commercial potting soil (€10.00 on Amazon) and around 30% fine gravel. This means that the rhizomes of the plants are well ventilated and problems with waterlogging are less likely to occur.
At what distance should the rhizomes be planted?
So that the individual plants develop well and the rhizomes can grow unhindered, a distance of around 10 to 20 centimeters should be maintained between individual turmeric specimens.
Tip
The turmeric tubers are dried and ground for use in curry powder and other spice mixtures. In Southeast Asian cuisine, it is also common to use finely grated fresh tubers for various dishes.
