How to Grow Curcuma Plants

Curcuma zedoaria, also called turmeric, belongs within the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It can act as a perennial or annual in the garden. The plant is grown throughout frost-free regions of the United States, as plants are frost-sensitive. Plants grow up to 6 feet in height and have lancelike foliage. The flowers are yellowish and trumpet-shaped. It spreads by underground rhizomes. Once plants mature, gardeners can dig up the finger-shaped rhizomes, dry them and use them as a culinary spice. Curcuma zedoaria works well planted directly into the garden or grown in containers.

Rake
Herbicide
Compost
Manure
Shovel
Container
Potting mix
Slow-release fertilizer
Insecticidal soap
Fungicide

Instructions

- 1
  Plant Curcuma zedoaria in springtime when temperatures have warmed the soil and cold weather no longer threatens your region. Select a location in full to partial sun for best growth. Plant the rhizomes in rich, well-drained soil.
- 2
  Remove any weeds from a planting site that is approximately 3 feet in diameter. Hand-pull, rake or spray the unwanted vegetation with a grass-killing herbicide.
- 3
  Layer the top of the soil with 6 to 8 inches of compost or manure. Work the substance into the planting site approximately 6 to 8 inches.
- 4
  Form a raised bed if your soil contains a lot of clay or retains too much water. Pile the garden soil up to approximately 1 foot in height. Amend with compost or manure to improve drainage.
- 5
  Fill a 3-gallon, draining container with a rich, well-drained potting mix amended with a slow-release fertilizer, if growing Curcuma zedoaria in a container. Mix the fertilizer into the soil according to label directions. Plant one rhizome per container, approximately 2 to 3 inches deep into the soil and laying the rhizome sideways.
- 6
  Plant the Curcuma zedoaria rhizomes into the outdoor planting site. Plant each rhizome 2 to 3 inches deep into the soil and lay it sideways. Space multiple rhizomes approximately 2 feet apart.
- 7
  Water the planting site or container after planting. Saturate the soil thoroughly. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
- 8
  Treat pest problems such as aphids or red spider mites. Use a product such as insecticidal soap and spray the pests. Apply and mix the insecticide according to package directions.
- 9
  Treat fungal problems by spraying the foliage with fungicide. Select a product safe for use on Curcuma zedoaria plants and apply according to package instructions.
- 10
  Harvest the Curcuma zedoaria rhizomes in approximately nine months. Dig up the rhizome when the plant's foliage begins yellowing and dying.

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