Curcuma longa
common turmeric
An upright tropical, herbaceous perennial producing stems to 1m (39in) high which grow from underground fleshy rhizomes. The leaves are alternate and appear in opposite rows along the stem. They are thin and oblong to lance-shaped, with pointed tips and are dark green above and light green below. Yellow to white tubular flowers appear in a cupped rosette bracts at the end of the flowering stem. The plant has been cultivated for thousands of years for the spice turmeric which is derived from the rhizome. As a result it has become totally domesticated over time and unable to set fruit, meaning that its reproduction can only be achieved vegetatively from dividing its rhizomes.
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Hardiness
H1ABotanical details
- Family
- Zingiberaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming, Columnar upright
- Genus
A genus of herbaceous perennial plants, some of which have edible rhizomes used to produce turmeric and curcumin. The foliage is long, dark green and lush and sometimes plants produce tall spikes of angula flowers in shades of pink, purple or white
- Name status
Unresolved
- Plant range
- India, Malaysia
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a well-drained but moisture retentive soil, rich in organic matter and in indirect, bright light and in a warm conservatory, greenhouse or window indoors, in temperatures no lower than 18°C (65°F)
Propagation
Propagate by division
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
- Houseplants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required. Remove old, yellowed stems as necessary
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.