Turmeric is a tropical plant native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It has broad green leaves and beautiful intricate flowers that make it popular in ornamental gardens.
Turmeric is a “herbaceous perennial” which means its leaves die at the end of the growing season, but its roots survive. This herb is a member of the ginger family and, like ginger, has edible roots called rhizomes.
You probably know turmeric as the bright yellow powder used in cooking. The rhizomes are dried and ground to make the familiar yellow spice. You can also buy fresh rhizomes at your local supermarket which look similar to fresh ginger but are orange in colour, and usually smaller.
However, turmeric is not just for cooking. This versatile plant is easy to grow and you can use it in everything from curries to desserts, as a dye, for religious purposes, in traditional medicines and beauty products.
How Does Turmeric Grow?
Growing turmeric is easy in a tropical climate. Push a rhizome approximately 5 cm into well-drained, damp soil and wait for it to grow. However, you need to make a bit more of an effort in less favourable conditions.
We can grow turmeric for most of the year and barely have to do anything to maintain our plants. Once our rhizome is in the ground, mother nature does the rest, except for some additional watering during dry spells.
In cooler areas, you will need to wait until spring or summer to plant your rhizomes. In the meantime, you will need to store them in a cool dark place. Allow them to develop a couple of ‘eyes’ and, once the weather is warm enough, plant the rhizomes with these buds facing upwards.
The rhizomes take approximately 8 to 10 months to mature. Usually, you harvest them annually. However, you can dig them up as soon as the leaves turn yellow and the stems start to dry. Just make sure that you save a few roots for re-planting in the following season.
Climate, Water and Soil Needs
Turmeric needs temperatures of between 20-30°C to grow. Most places in Australia should be warm enough in summer. Cooler areas have a shorter growing season than the tropics, and you will need to dig the roots up in winter to protect them from frost.
Turmeric likes water and thrives where there is good rainfall. If you want to grow plants in a hot, dry climate, then you will need to water them regularly to stop them from drying out and dying. They will also benefit from some dappled shade.
However, it is important that the soil does not become waterlogged as this will cause the rhizomes to rot. Try watering your plants once every two days in drier areas and make sure the soil is fertile and has good drainage.
It is possible to grow turmeric in areas with cold temperatures by growing it in a greenhouse. A greenhouse can artificially create the conditions needed for this tropical plant to grow. Alternatively, you can also try growing it in a pot.
Growing Turmeric in a Pot
Growing turmeric in a pot, either indoors or outdoors, will allow you to protect it from cold weather. If your pot is outdoors, you can move it around to make the most of sunny spots. If it is indoors, you can avoid the cold weather altogether.
Growing this herb in a pot is easy; you need to keep the ambient temperature around 18°C and follow these simple steps:
- Get some pots that are at least 30 cm deep and wide;
- Buy some rhizomes from your local market or supermarket;
- Break a piece off your rhizome with at least two eyes;
- Fill your plant pots with moist, well-drained, nutrient-rich soil;
- Push your rhizome about 5 cm into the soil, with the eyes facing upwards;
- Water the pot well and wait for your plant to grow.
Your rhizomes should be ready to harvest in 8 to 10 months, the same as if you had planted them in the ground.
Preparation for Use
You can dig turmeric rhizomes up and use them straight away. Just wash off the dirt, grate or chop the roots, and add them to your meal. Eat fresh rhizomes within a few weeks of harvest as they will dry out quickly.
You can also make the yellow powder most people buy from the supermarket. This allows you to enjoy turmeric all year round. To prepare your own dried spice, you will need to:
- Boil the roots for 30-45 minutes;
- Peel the rhizomes (use gloves – your hands will turn yellow!);
- Dry the roots, naturally or in a hot oven;
- Grind the peeled, dried rhizomes to make the powder.
It is easier to remove the skins immediately after boiling than when the roots are dry. You will also end up with more turmeric to grind up by not using a vegetable peeler to remove the dried skins. As well as the roots, both the leaves and flowers are edible and can be eaten fresh.
Cooking with Turmeric
Turmeric is a key component in many Asian recipes. It is a well-known ingredient in curries, such as Indian or Indonesian yellow curries. It adds a bright yellow colour and peppery flavour to dishes. This plant, however, is truly versatile and you can consume it in many other ways.
Try using turmeric as a rub on meats; it is a great addition to a roast chicken, duck or turkey. Sprinkle some onto your plain rice to turn it golden yellow. Toss it through your roasted potatoes, cauliflower, or steamed greens. Use fresh roots for more zing compared to the dried spice.
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Turmeric leaves can be added to salads or wrapped around meats and vegetables in baked or steamed dishes. The leaves add a less pungent taste to dishes than the spice. The flowers make a sweet addition to salads or pasta.
Turmeric is well known for its use in savoury dishes, but it can also be used in sweet ones too. It is an essential ingredient in “Sfouf”, a middle eastern semolina cake eaten on special occasions such as birthdays. It is also a tasty ingredient in hot drinks, ice cream and yoghurts.
Turmeric is an essential ingredient in ‘golden milk’, a popular immune-boosting remedy. Golden milk also contains coconut milk, ginger, cinnamon and black pepper, which is said to help with the absorption of turmeric.
Medicinal Uses
Turmeric has many health benefits and is toute a ‘super-food’. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties. It is also an anti-oxidant, digestive and diuretic agent.
Turmeric has been an important part of traditional medicine for millennia. It has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine, to purify the blood and treat skin conditions. Some people even think it can cure cancer, but no clinical evidence exists to confirm this.
Turmeric is beneficial for the digestive system and relieves the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Its anti-inflammatory properties may also relieve the symptoms of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
Turmeric has been used as an anti-depressant and is considered to play a protective role against Alzheimer’s disease. Although modern science is reluctant to confirm these health benefits, it certainly can’t hurt to consume this tasty plant.
Religious Uses
Turmeric has spiritual significance for some religions; however, it is particularly important to Hindus. The “golden spice” or “spice of life” represents the sun (and therefore the sun gods) due to its bright yellow colour.
Turmeric is an essential part of the “haldi” ceremonies at Hindu weddings. The yellow powder is mixed into a paste and applied to the bride and groom’s skin. The ceremony signifies the ritual purification of the couple and acts as a blessing for fortune and prosperity.
Hindu women often apply the yellow powder to their faces to emulate the Goddess Durga who is “haldi-mukhi” (turmeric-faced). She is “radiant like the sun” and connected to all things yellow, including gold, the harvest, and lions.
Spiritually, turmeric balances the energies of the body. Therefore, it is important for purification rites and rituals. Some Ganesh idols are made from it, and turmeric water is used as an offering to the Goddess Kali.
In some cultures, women receive turmeric as a gift during pregnancy. It is a symbol of fertility, inner purity and pride. You can also wear the rhizome as an amulet for good luck and prosperity.
Turmeric as a Dye
Turmeric root makes vivid natural dyes, oils and paints. If you get some of it on your hands when cooking you will soon appreciate why! The strong yellow stain comes from curcumin, a chemical found in the rhizome.
Before the introduction of chemical or synthetic dyes, many fabrics were coloured using turmeric. Traditionally, it was used to dye the orange robes of Buddhist monks and the marriage cloth in Hindu weddings.
Turmeric is still important as a food colouring today. The orange-yellow food additive “E100” comes from curcumin. This natural colourant is becoming more popular with the push to remove chemical additives from foods.
You can also dye plain paper to create “turmeric paper”. The paper acts as an indicator of acidity and alkalinity. It remains yellow when dipped in acidic or neutral solutions or turns reddish-brown in alkaline solutions.
Turmeric in Beauty Products
Turmeric has been an ingredient in beauty products for thousands of years. It adds a natural yellow colour to make-up and hair dyes and imparts antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits into skin and hair care products.
Turmeric improves uneven skin tone and brightens skin. It is beneficial for acne, inhibiting bacteria, removing oil from the skin, and reducing scarring. It is a natural exfoliator and assists in removing dead skin cells and is, therefore, a great addition to facemasks.
Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, may help to prevent hair loss. Curcumin also has anti-fungal, antiseptic and antibacterial properties that soothe many conditions of the scalp, including dermatitis and dandruff.
Turmeric is a natural alternative to harsh hair colourants. It adds a bright tint to light coloured hair and a subtler tint to darker hair. Using turmeric in your hair care products also makes hair soft, flexible and shiny.
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Conclusion
Turmeric is a truly versatile plant and makes a great addition to any home garden. It looks good and is easy to grow, even in pots. See if you can get some rhizomes from your local supermarket and plant them today!
Try adding this health-boosting plant to your meals and hot drinks. Or make it a part of your beauty regime, in a facemask or scrub. It is so versatile you really can use it everywhere from your kitchen to your bathroom.
