How to Grow Turmeric
Curcuma longa
Tender Warm Season Single Harvest
When to Start
Start seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant outdoors once night temperatures stay above 15°C and soil has warmed to at least 20°C.
Don't know your frost date? Find it here →
Growth Stages
Sow seeds
Germination ~28d
pages.grow.stages.SPRING_GROWTH ~70d
Flowering ~200d
Harvest ~270d
Sow seeds
Germination ~28d
pages.grow.stages.SPRING_GROWTH ~70d
Flowering ~200d
Harvest ~270d
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertiliser during active growth. Stop feeding when foliage begins to die back in autumn.
- Turmeric is grown from rhizome pieces, similar to ginger but needs even more warmth. Plant in spring, harvest after 8-10 months when foliage dies back. The bright orange rhizomes stain everything they touch. Excellent container plant — bring indoors before frost. Can produce attractive white and pink flower spikes in summer.
Companion Planting
—
Growing Conditions
Min. soil temperature: 20°C+
Germination temperature: 22–32°C
Get a personalized schedule for Turmeric based on your exact frost dates
Start planning freeEnter your last frost date to see your dates
Don't know your frost date? Find it here
- Direct sow
- —
- First harvest
- —
Want your full season plan with reminders? Try Leaftide free
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 30 cm |
| Row spacing | 40 cm |
| Sow depth | 5 cm |
| Mature height | 90 cm |
| Mature spread | 60 cm |
Space rhizome pieces 30 cm apart. Grows well in large containers — one rhizome per 30 cm pot or several in a large tub.
Care Guide
- Feeding
- Feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertiliser during active growth. Stop feeding when foliage begins to die back in autumn.
- Watch for
-
- Root rot from overwatering or poor drainage
- Spider mites in dry indoor conditions
- Leaf spot in overly humid conditions
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 20°C |
| Germination temperature | 22–32°C |
| Base growth temperature | 15°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 10h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Turmeric?
- Plant Turmeric 30cm apart with 40cm between rows.
- When can I harvest Turmeric?
- Turmeric is ready to harvest approximately 270 days after transplanting.
- Is Turmeric frost hardy?
- Turmeric is classified as Tender.
Plan Turmeric in your garden — get personalized frost-date scheduling
Start planning free