Growing Turmeric In Pots, Containers, Indoors

Growing Turmeric in Pots

The following information is about Growing Turmeric in Pots at home.

Introduction To Turmeric

Turmeric is a perennial flowering plant of the ginger family. Turmeric is native to the Indian subcontinent. Turmeric are obtained from underground tubers or roots or rhizomes.Turmeric is the most used root vegetables, that can be easily grown in containers or pots.  Turmeric thrives in temperatures between 20 to 30°C. turmeric is a herbal plant that grows up to 1 m tall, spreading the large clumps with under fringe rhizomes. Turmeric can be propagated from their rhizomes and from their seedlings.  Turmeric thrives well in warm and humid climates.  Turmeric thrives in tropical climates, it can also be grown in temperate regions during summer season. Best time to plant turmeric in pots is in spring to summer, as the roots sprout well when the temperature of soil is warm. Turmeric need a good amount of sunlight, but it can thrive in shade also. For growing turmeric in pots, use fertile soils, rich in organic matter. Turmeric plant not only gives us healthy root and adds a great look to your garden. It has large green beautiful leaves with white and green flowers between them giving a beautiful view throughout the summer season. Choose a large sized container with a good draining system to grow turmeric plant. Turmeric takes nearly eight to ten months to ready for harvesting. Turmeric is a pest and disease resistant plant.Turmeric is termed as Super Food, for its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Turmeric is the great source of vitamin C, Magnesium, and Potassium.

• Scientific Name for turmeric: Curcuma Longa.
• Common Names: Curcuma, Indian Saffron, Curcuma domestica, Curcumin, and Curcumine.
• Family: Turmeric belongs to the family of Zingiberaceae.

Varieties Suitable for Growing Turmeric in Pots

• Turmeric plant has three popular varieties Curcuma Longa, Curcuma Zedoaria and Curcuma Aromatica. Curcuma Zedoaria is commonly called as white turmeric, it is rarely grown and used as a spice. White ginger is a replaced by ginger. Curcume Aromatica is also wild ginger with amazing aroma mainly used in cosmetic products and is rarely grown in pots.

How to Grow Turmeric in Pots?

• Turmeric can be propagated from rhizomes or plants. Turmeric can easily propagate from rhizomes like ginger, you can get fresh rhizomes from organic stores or from garden centers or seed stored. you can buy turmeric plants from nurseries and transplant in our desired container. The organic rhizomes are available online also.
• A turmeric rhizome has the mother and the fingers. Mother rhizome develops fingers, and the fingers are used to grow plants and the mother rhizome works as the seed.
• Turmeric rhizomes can be directly planted in desired pots or can be grown in small containers till they develop sprouting leaves and then transplanted into the desired containers.

Suitable Pots for Growing Turmeric in Pots

• Turmeric is a root plant, it needs a good amount of space to grow comfortably.
• Select a large pot for growing turmeric, so that tubers can spread freely.
• The minimum size of the pot should be 12 inches deep and 12 to 16 inches wide for a turmeric plant.
• Pot should have couple of draining holes for proper drainage and aeration in the soil.
• Cover the draining holes with stones to avoid dripping of soil.
• Plant 1 rhizome in for one pot.
• Use plastic/clay/terracotta containers. turmeric is a root plant as the containers made of clay or terracotta can provide good aeration to the plants.

Season for Growing Turmeric in Pots

• Spring to summer is the best time to grow turmeric in pots.
• In tropical regions, turmeric can be grown round the year.

The Best Location for Growing Turmeric in Pots

• The location be protected from the strong winds.
• Turmeric grows well in partial shade, direct sun for long time can damage the plant.
• Morning sunlight or warm sun is best for turmeric plant.
• In temperate climates, place the pot in full sun for optimum growth.
• Grow your own turmeric in pots in balconies, verandas, terraces backyards, front yards and indoors.

Soil for Growing Turmeric in Pots

• Turmeric plant loves light and loam soil which is rich is organic matter.
• Use well drained soil, enriched with perlite or vermiculite and organic compost.
• It is recommended to use good quality commercial potting mix.
• Turmeric prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil.
• The pH levels of the soil should be between 6.0 to 7.8.
• Mixing the potting soil with cow manure and slow release fertilizer will promote the growth of plants.

Planting for Growing Turmeric in Pots

• Break the large organic rhizome into small pieces, and make sure that each piece should have at least two to three buds.
• Rhizomes with emerging buds will shorten the germination period.
• Before planting, soak the rhizomes in water to fasten up the sprouting.
• Depending on the quality of the rhizome it takes 1 to 3 months for sprouting.
• Fill the pots with good quality commercial potting mix, that should we moist and well-drained.
• Make 2 to 4 inches deep hole in the center of the pot and place the rhizome in the hole.
• Now cover the rhizome completely with soil.
• Water the rhizome and place in a location where it gets a good amount of light and air.
• Turmeric not a quick crop, it takes long time to emerge.
• Add mulch after planting rhizomes to prevent weeds.
• Sprouted rhizomes takes 2 to 3 weeks to develop, and the rhizomes without sprouts takes up to 2 to 3 months to develop roots.

Sunlight for Growing Turmeric in pots

• Turmeric thrives well in full sun to partial sunlight.
• It can be grown indoors with a good amount of light near window sills or can be grown under grow lights.
• Placing the pot in an area with very less light or in heavy shade areas can affect growth of plant and yields.
• Turmeric plants grown in direct sun requires more water, keep the soil moist constantly.

Water for Growing Turmeric in Pots

• The pots should be watered in the form of shower using a watering can.
• Turmeric needs a lot of moisture to thrive, the soil should never dry during the growth of the plant.
• Keep the soil moist constantly.
• Don’t over water the plants, as turmeric is root plant, overwatering will drain all the nutrients from the soil along with water.
• Turmeric loves humidity, in case of dry air, spraying and misting will maintain the humidity in the air.
• In summer season, water the plants at regular intervals.
• In winter, water the plants when required, maintain the moisture levels in soil in winters too.
• In dry weather, humidity levels in the air will reduce so mist the leaves regularly or place the pot on the large tray filled with stones and water.

Temperature for Growing Turmeric in Pots

• For Growing turmeric in pots, the ideal temperature is 20 to 35ºC
• Turmeric cannot tolerate the temperature below 18ºC .
• Turmeric grows well in humid climates.
• Turmeric can be grown in all temperatures, by protecting the roots from freezing.

Winter Care for Growing Turmeric in Pots

• When the temperature drops below 10ºC, the plants should be moved to indoor or shades or cover the plants with garden cloches.
• When turmeric pots are moved to indoors, maintains a constant temperature of 18ºC for the healthy growth of the plant.
• If not taken proper care in winter, the leaves of plants wilt and turn yellow.
• In tropical regions, winter care is not much required.
• In warm temperate regions, reduce the watering in winter season.

Fertilizers for Growing Turmeric in Pots

• Turmeric is a heavy feeder, feed the plant every month with mild balanced liquid fertilizer.
• During the growing period, fertilize the plant with an all-purpose fertilizer or fruit fertilizer once or twice in a month.
• Feed the plant only at the base of the plant without getting contact with the stem.
• Leaves can turn yellow due to nutrient deficiency, feed with liquid fertilizer to balance the nutrients.
• Using manures or compost is also recommended.
• Compost tea is also best feed for turmeric plants.

Pruning for Growing Turmeric in Pots

• Pruning is not necessary for turmeric plants.
• Just clear all the dried leaves regularly.

Pests and Diseases in Growing Turmeric in Pots

• turmeric can be propagated using rhizomes or buying a plant from nurseries.
• Turmeric plants are disease and pest resistant.
• Turmeric plants are mainly affected with red spider mites and scales.
• Spider mates can be washed away with a forceful water spray on the affected leaves of the plant.
• Spider mates and scales can be washed away by spraying a mild solution of soap water.
• Turmeric plants are mainly affected by rhizome rot, leaf blotch and leaf spot.
• Use organic fungicide sprays to treat fungal diseases in turmeric plants. Don’t use chemical or petroleum-based pesticides or insecticides for the turmeric plants.
• Rhizome rot can dry the leaves of the plants and damages the rhizomes.
• Root rot is mainly caused due to overwatering.
• Use well-drained soil to protect from root rot.

Harvesting in Growing Turmeric in Pots

• Harvesting period of turmeric is 8 to 10 months.
• Each plant produces around 400 to 500 grams of fresh turmeric.
• By the time turmeric gets matured, leaves and stems start to dry.
• For harvesting turmeric, just dig out the plant entirely inducing the roots.
• you can cut the required amount turmeric root and replant the remaining rhizome for the regrowth of the plant.
• Young shoots and flowers of the turmeric plant are also used in some cuisines.

Processing after Growing Turmeric in Pots

• After harvesting turmeric, it should be processed before using it.
• Boil the harvested rhizomes and remove the skin of the rhizomes.
• Place them in a wide tray and dry them in the sunlight for a couple of weeks.
• When they are completely dry, use for the household purposes.

Storing Tips after Growing Turmeric in Pots

• Fresh turmeric rhizomes or roots can wrap in a tissue paper and place in an airtight bag. Store these bags in refrigerator, turmeric status fresh for 1 month.
• Peeled turmeric rhizomes blended with honey, can stay fresh for more than a year.
• Processed turmeric can stay fresh for more than 1 year if stored in a dry place.

Tips for Growing Turmeric in Pots

• Turmeric can be grown in Warm, Humid, tropical zones.
• Ideal temperature for growing turmeric is between 20 to 40 º
• Turmeric plant can resist temperature up to 20 º
• Temperature below 20ºC can harm the plant.
• The harvesting period of a turmeric plant is about 7 to 10 months. Harvesting period depends on the climate.
• Turmeric can be planted from spring to fall.
• the Turmeric plant thrives well in warm and humid climate.
• Turmeric grows well in a wide range of soils, but well-drained soil is essential.
• Overwatering can cause rhizome rot or root rot in turmeric plants.
• Use large pots with good depth and width, as root needs good amount of space to penetrate.
• the Equal ration of soil and compost can provide absolute growing medium for the turmeric plants.
• the Turmeric plant thrives well slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil. Test the pH level of soil before planting the rhizome.
• The pH levels of the soil should be 6.0 to 7.8.
• turmeric plant is less affected by diseases and pests.
• Spider mates are main pests that affect turmeric plant.
• Place the turmeric pot in a spot that receives partial sunlight and less wind.
• Water and sun are major requirements for the growth of the plant.
• Constant moisture levels in the soil should be maintained throughout the plant life cycle.
• Turmeric plant loves humidity, in case of dry weather, humidity levels can be maintained by misting the leaves or place tray filled with water under pots.
• Turmeric plant can be harvested when the plant completed its life cycle and dries out.
• Best companion plants for turmeric are eggplant, onion, and chilies.
• Use gloves while handling and processing fresh and dry
• In cool climates, add mulch on the top of the soil to preserve the moisture levels at plant base.
• Dried leaves should be removes time to time.
• Turmeric is a slow grower, it takes about 3 to 4 weeks for developing shoots.
• Place the turmeric pots in a warm spot where it gets partial sunlight.
• When stored in refrigerator turmeric stays fresh up to 6 months.
• Feed the plant with all-purpose liquid fertilizer once for a month.
• Compost is also a best nutrient supplier of the turmeric plant, side dress the pot with compost once in a couple of months.
• Check the soil every couple of days after planting, water as needed to maintain the moisture levels of the soil.
• In winter, pots should be moved indoors or covered with cloches or plastic cover to protect the roots from freezing.
• Turmeric plants are propagated through rhizomes or plants/seedling. turmeric plants don’t produce any seeds.
• Select organic turmeric with sprouting buds for planting as it reduces the germination period.
• Common pests that attack turmeric plants are spider mates, aphids, and scales.
• Rhizome rot is the major problem we face in growing turmeric in pots.
• Using a well-drained soil will protect the rhizome from major fungal diseases.
• March is the best month to plant turmeric in pots.
• Grow lights should be arranged if you are growing turmeric indoors.

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