Turmeric Curcuma longa
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a deciduous perennial herb in the Zingiberaceae family, native to South Asia (India and Southeast Asia). It grows 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) tall and 40–70 cm (16–28 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about 0 °C (32 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
Plan Turmeric in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Turmeric at a glance
| Type | Perennial herb, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Zingiberaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) |
| Mature spread | 40–70 cm (16–28 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 0 °C (32 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | about 17–29 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: rhizome, young shoots, leaves (flavouring) |
| Native to | South Asia (India and Southeast Asia) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇮🇳 India, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇲🇾 Malaysia |
Is Turmeric toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
The rhizome is a common spice and the plant is not listed as toxic; concentrated supplements can upset the stomach.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Turmeric
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
See Turmeric in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Singapore Botanic Gardens (5 plants)
- Gardens by the Bay (6 plants)
Questions about Turmeric
- How far apart should I plant Turmeric?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–70 cm (16–28 in).
- Does Turmeric need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Turmeric need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Turmeric?
- It tolerates about 0 °C (32 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Turmeric flower?
- About 17–29 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks.
- Is Turmeric poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. The rhizome is a common spice and the plant is not listed as toxic; concentrated supplements can upset the stomach.
- What grows well with Turmeric?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Turmeric. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Grown from rhizome pieces; leaves yellow and die back as the plant matures and the rhizome rests until the next warm wet season. Hardy only to about 0 C.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Ginger Zingiber officinale
- Galangal Alpinia galanga
- Torch ginger Etlingera elatior
- Shell ginger Alpinia zerumbet
- Red ginger Alpinia purpurata
- Beehive ginger Zingiber spectabile
- Siam tulip Curcuma alismatifolia
- White ginger lily Hedychium coronarium