Turmeric plant: care, use & effect

Most people only know turmeric as a spice in the kitchen. Turmeric – or rather the ingredient curcumin – is also used in medicine. But is it possible to cultivate a turmeric plant yourself? This article shows you how to grow a turmeric plant yourself, what you should bear in mind and what it is actually good for.

Can you grow turmeric in Germany?

Indian turmeric or saffron root, as the turmeric plant is also known, originally comes from Asia. It has been cultivated there for thousands of years as a medicinal and spice plant and is widely used. However, the turmeric plant can also be grown in this country – with a little care, you can even harvest it!

The following are important for growing a turmeric plant in Germany:

– Location

– Soil

– Care

But first, the most important question: should you grow your own turmeric plant or buy one? The plants are actually available in many garden centres. They are mainly sold there as houseplants, as they produce beautiful, pink-coloured flowers. However, it is perfectly possible to grow a turmeric plant yourself from the rhizome – the rootstock.

Grow your own turmeric: How the planting works

Turmeric needs a warm location all year round for cultivation. To begin with, a shallow pot with a large diameter on the windowsill is suitable. Place a piece of the turmeric tuber in it and cover it lightly with soil. A 5 cm rhizome is sufficient.

Now moisten the soil. Good results can be achieved by covering the pot with a film. This increases the humidity. The windowsill should not be in full sunlight and the temperature should be around 20 °C.

It takes a few weeks for the rhizome to sprout. The shoots can then be seen as above-ground parts of the plant.

Whether you should repot the turmeric plant or not depends on how much space the pot offers. As turmeric grows both in width and height, plant pots with a diameter of 30 cm and a height of 20 cm are recommended. In general, however, the more space the plant has, the more abundant the turmeric harvest will be!

In some cases, a turmeric root will sprout on its own. This happens, for example, if it is stored in a bright, warm place with high humidity. So-called eyes form, as can also be seen on a ginger tuber. Sooner or later, shoots will sprout from these eyes, which is why it is worth burying the rhizome in the soil with the eyes facing upwards.

The right location for turmeric plants

High humidity is essential for turmeric plants. The location should also be warm and semi-shaded. As temperatures between 18 and 22 °C prove to be ideal, a greenhouse or conservatory is particularly suitable for cultivation. Cultivating the turmeric plant outside in the garden is only recommended in warmer regions.

What soil does turmeric need?

In order for the turmeric plant to grow healthily, the soil must be rich in humus and nutrients. A mixture of coarse sand and potting soil is ideal.

How to care for turmeric plants properly

The soil in which the turmeric plant grows should always be well moist. However, it must not dry out or become waterlogged. Lime-free water is best suited for care.

It is also helpful to fertilise the turmeric plant once a month. Some recommend liquid fertiliser for this. However, nettle manure is much more environmentally friendly. However, if you have already started with humus-rich soil, you can usually do without fertiliser.

Withered plant parts can be easily removed from the turmeric plant. For example, you can also cut off the flowers. Turmeric is propagated by rhizomes anyway, so the flowers do not produce seeds that could be used.

Overwintering turmeric

Turmeric plants can be overwintered. The plants go into hibernation, which means that the leaves wither completely. Only the thickened roots can overwinter. It is best to place the pot in low light and at a temperature of around 18 °C. The temperature may drop to 3 °C for short periods. However, it should not be any lower.

Harvesting and using turmeric

Turmeric is both a decorative houseplant and a medicinal plant. If you want to use the roots or other parts of the plant in the kitchen, you can do so.

Can you eat turmeric flowers?

The pink-coloured flowers of turmeric plants look particularly decorative. So the question arises: can the flowers be eaten? In fact, no parts of the turmeric plant are poisonous – not even for cats or other pets. So the flowers, leaves and all other parts of the plant can be eaten. However, it is doubtful whether they are tasty.

The power is in the rhizome!

Even though all parts of the plant above ground can be eaten, the turmeric plant is generally cultivated for its rhizome. This can be harvested as soon as the plant has reached a height of around one metre and the upper leaves wither. This is usually not the case until winter.

To harvest the rhizomes, dig them up and thoroughly wash off any soil residue. They can then be processed further. You should always wear gloves and a kitchen apron, as the tubers release a strong colour that is difficult to remove from clothing and skin.

It is also the rootstock that is often used in naturopathy due to its health-promoting properties. It also produces a yellow colour, which can be helpful both in the preparation of food and in the targeted dyeing of textiles.

Using turmeric root correctly

If you have been able to harvest turmeric root, you can do a lot with it. It is suitable for cooking, for example. Turmeric is traditionally used in Asian cuisine. However, it can be used to spice up many other dishes. Fresh turmeric root also makes a great tea!

The root can also be dried and processed into powder. This turmeric powder can also be used in the kitchen or as a supplement. However, users should always be careful and pay close attention to how their body reacts to the intake.

Why grow and use turmeric?

Turmeric plants are not only popular because of their attractive appearance. It is above all the health benefits that the root is said to have that make turmeric such a special and popular plant.

Turmeric is particularly valued for the active ingredient curcumin it contains. It is said to have anti-inflammatory and digestive properties. Turmeric has been used in Asia for thousands of years to treat gastrointestinal inflammation and other digestive problems. The root’s active ingredient is also used to treat skin diseases, lipometabolic disorders and diabetes.

All in all, turmeric is said to have a positive effect on the intestinal flora. As this is essential for the health of the entire body, there are also dietary supplements with curcumin that are intended to contribute to a healthy gut.

Kingnature offers high-quality preparations that consist of natural ingredients and have a high bioavailability. This means that the body can absorb them particularly well. Nevertheless, food supplements are no substitute for a balanced and healthy diet!

The right dose of turmeric: How much is good for the body?

When it comes to herbal active ingredients, the question always arises: How much is really good for the human body? The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a daily dose of up to 3 g of turmeric powder from the dried rhizome. However, there are no restrictions on how long turmeric can be used or taken.

Nevertheless, individual needs and any pre-existing conditions should always be taken into account. The recommended dose may vary depending on the person and their symptoms.

People who should refrain from taking turmeric preparations are

– Pregnant women

– breastfeeding mothers

– People with gallstones

It may be advisable to speak to a specialist before taking turmeric.

Too high a dose of curcumin can also cause digestive problems such as diarrhoea, flatulence or abdominal pain. If you notice such symptoms after consuming turmeric or taking curcumin supplements, you should refrain from taking them for the time being and consult a doctor.

Conclusion

If you want to plant and harvest turmeric yourself, you also have the opportunity to do so in Germany – even though the plant originally comes from Asia. However, as the turmeric plant has certain requirements, many people decide to cultivate the plant only as an ornamental. Nevertheless, in a suitable location and with the right care, it is perfectly possible to harvest turmeric! It’s not only worth it for the flavour, but also for the health benefits that turmeric is said to have.