Curcuma longa
Turmeric
Also known as Curcuma domestica
- Height × spread
- 1.2m × 2m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 5C & above (RHS H1c)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Turmeric, perhaps best known as the yellow powder that is a component of curries, has been cultivated for around the last 4,000 years. It is only known as a domestic plant, never having been found growing naturally in the wild. It grows from a rhizome and sends up elegant leaves on long stems. These are softly lance-shaped with impressed veins, coloured bright green. The flowers are clustered near the base of the plant, and are chunky with short curved petals, coloured pale yellow and coming from bracts that are much more noticeable, these may be white, often flushed in pale pink or yellow tints. It is likely to flower between August and October. The rhizome is harvested for use as a spice, but also for use as a dye (often in foodstuffs) and a medicine. It is said to have anti-inflammatory properties and is used in the treatment of angina, among other ailments. It is a tropical plant and needs a warm and humid site with a minimum temperature of 15C (59F). It requires regular water when in growth but needs to be dry during its rest period.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 1.2m
- Spread
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 5C & above (RHS H1c)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- A light position not direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 15C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food monthly
Give the plant a balanced houseplant feed monthly while in growth.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth
Adopt a regime whereby plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Winter
Winter · Indoors
Water sparingly during dormancy
In its dormant period give very little water, keeping the soil barely moist. Dormancy is likely to be during the winter and the plant recommences growth in early to mid spring.
When a plant enters dormancy the leaves fade, go yellow and then brown. Eventually the whole plant may 'disappear' or unadorned stems may remain.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Loam based houseplant compost for repotting
Buy container or house plant compost that is loam based if possible (i.e. is based on John Innes compost number 2 or 3. This contains more fertiliser and is better suited to established plants.
John Innes no. 1 has the lowest level of fertiliser and is used for seedlings and young plants, so is generally used where plants will be 'potted on' after a number of weeks.
Indoor temperature · Planting
15C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 15 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in indirect light indoors
Give the plant a position that is cool and light, and away from direct sunshine.
Found in
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