Turmeric: Pro tips for growing turmeric

Turmeric, also known as turmeric, has a unique taste and is very healthy. We show how you can grow and propagate turmeric yourself.

turmeric (Curcuma longa) belongs to the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). The harvesting organ is quite similar to that of ginger, but unlike it is intensely yellow in color and contains some other ingredients. Here, turmeric is mainly used as a dried spice, for example in curry mixtures. Turmeric's delicious, slightly earthy-bitter flavor and ability to turn food intensely yellow makes it a popular substitute for expensive saffron. Turmeric is all the rage right now. Whether as capsules, in tea or as part of the so-called golden milk, the healthy turmeric is now used everywhere. Below you will find out how the plant came to us and how you can grow and propagate turmeric yourself.

Turmeric: origin and history of turmeric

Turmeric, probably native to Southeast Asia and herbaceous, is only known as a cultivated plant. However, turmeric has been traded in southern Europe since ancient times. Later in the Middle Ages, the spice also made its way to Germany. Today it is grown in many tropical areas, with India being the main producer and largest consumer.

Buy turmeric: you should pay attention to this

Since we offer turmeric almost exclusively as a dried powder, the first question that arises is where you can get fresh turmeric from. The quickest way to find what you are looking for is in a well-stocked Asian market. Here the rhizomes are usually not that expensive. If there is no Asian market in your area, you can easily order turmeric in an Asian market online shop. It is up to you whether you use just a five centimeter piece of the rhizome or the whole piece. Of course, a larger plant will also grow faster from a larger part.

Growing and Propagating Turmeric

Growing turmeric is quite easy if you keep a few points in mind. This includes, for example, the high temperature requirements. For this reason, we recommend propagating in spring or summer if possible. First of all, it is important that the cutting point of parts of a rhizome dries up for a few days before the turmeric goes underground.

When planting, use good quality, well-drained soil like ours Plantura Organic Herb & Seed Soil. This is also peat-free and saves up to 60% CO2 in production compared to conventional soils. You also need a pot, which should of course be larger than the piece of rhizome used. Simply fill the pot with the soil and dig a hole about five centimeters deep in which to place the turmeric. The hole is then covered with soil and lightly watered.

Since the plant is native to the tropics, it is best to choose the warmest location you have available. Now you have to be patient. Depending on the temperature, budding can be quick or slow. As a rule, the first shoot should be visible after two to three weeks. Then the plant needs a lot of light and therefore belongs in the brightest place in the apartment.

The turmeric now forms beautiful large leaves relatively quickly, which form a pseudo-trunk. In a perfect location with lots of warmth, even beautiful flowers can develop. In our opinion, turmeric is therefore definitely suitable as an ornamental plant. After getting used to the direct sunlight, the turmeric can theoretically be placed outside. However, this only makes sense from June to August and only if the temperatures do not fall below 15 °C at night.

In winter you can either harvest or leave the rhizomes in the pot and overwinter dry at around 10 °C. In the spring (after a little watering) the rhizomes can sprout again if you have decided not to harvest. It is of course also possible that you overwinter only part of the rhizome - the decision is entirely yours.

Turmeric: uses and ingredients of healthy turmeric

In the past, turmeric was mainly used to color paper and, of course, as a cheap substitute for saffron. Otherwise, turmeric was only known as an ingredient in curry spice mixtures. Meanwhile, pure turmeric powder is being used more and more as a single spice. Theoretically, turmeric can also be used fresh, but its taste is then rather resinous and bitter and therefore often a bit strange for the European palate. Turmeric is still one of the most important spices in Indian cuisine. It plays a major role in Ayurvedic medicine, as it is said to have cleansing and energizing properties.

In the meantime, turmeric has also become the focus of research, as the plant has all sorts of positive properties. A key ingredient is curcumin. The dye responsible for the yellow color has anti-cancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Anti-inflammatory properties have already been demonstrated in patients with knee arthrosis. The anti-cancer effect relates primarily to colon and breast cancer. Curcumin can also promote bone health. However, the health-promoting properties only occur if turmeric is eaten regularly and in sufficient quantities. So if you are a friend of Indian cuisine, you have a clear advantage here. In order for the curcumin to be even more effective for humans, the combination with black pepper is recommended. In the pepper is piperine, which makes the curcumin more available to humans.

As you can see, turmeric is a true wonder plant that is also easy to grow at home. Whether as an ornamental or as a useful plant, the cultivation of turmeric is definitely worthwhile. In our special article we give you five tips so that the Turmeric cultivation in the pot succeed.