How to Grow Turmeric

Updated June 2026

A warm-season root crop for the home garden.

What it looks like as it grows

Turmeric is a rewarding warm-season crop for backyard growers.

🌱 Plant profile: Turmeric, with sowing times for your region, companion plants and common pests.

When to plant

Plant Turmeric in spring once the soil has warmed and all frost has passed. In the warmest regions a second crop is possible in late summer. See your region on the turmeric page for exact timing.

Varieties

• Turmeric, Curcuma longa, from seed rhizomes (specialty growers)

How to grow it

• Sun & soil: part sun to light shade, rich well-drained soil with even moisture.
• Spacing: about 12 in between plants.
• Sowing: sow about 2 in deep.
• Water: roughly 1.3 gal per plant every 3 days in hot weather.

Pests & problems

In humid regions, Rhizome rot can appear, so space for airflow and water at the roots in the morning.

Harvest

Turmeric is usually ready to harvest in about 9 months. Pick regularly to keep plants productive.

When to plant in your region

Pick your region to see exactly when to plant turmeric where you garden.

See also: Turmeric in the plant library →

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