How to grow Turmeric in Australia
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a leafy tropical plant in the ginger family, grown for its bright orange rhizomes. Plant pieces of rhizome in spring, keep them warm and moist through summer, and dig the crop when the leaves die back in late autumn or winter, about nine to ten months later. It also has lovely pink and white flower spikes.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Turmeric in Australia
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | August to November | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | August to November | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | August to October | Pre-sprout indoors Aug; plant Oct in warm shelter; dies down winter; marginal tropical. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | Not suited | Requires 8 to 10 frost-free months. Melbourne (5 months warm max) cannot mature crop. Must lift and store. |
| Adelaide & SA | September and October | Marginal. Plant rhizomes Sep to Oct in pots in the warmest spot and bring under cover in winter. Harvests are light next to the subtropics. |
| Perth & WA | August and September | Plant Aug to Sep. Turmeric needs the whole warm season to bulk up and dies back in winter cold. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. Needs 8 to 10 frost-free warm months. Not viable in Tasmania. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Turmeric unsuitable for Canberra: tropical rhizome; frost-intolerant; requires warmth and humidity. Not viable. |
| North Queensland | August to November | Dry season Aug to Nov. Turmeric is tropical staple rhizome. Plant Aug to Nov for wet-season establishment. |
| Darwin & Top End | August to November | Dry season Aug to Nov. Turmeric is tropical staple rhizome. Plant Aug to Nov for wet-season establishment. |
Not to be confused with: Ginger, a close relative grown the same way. Turmeric rhizomes are bright orange inside, and its leaves are broad and paddle shaped.
Where to plant
Turmeric likes a warm, sheltered spot in part shade, or morning sun with afternoon shade, in rich, well-drained soil with plenty of compost. It needs a long, warm, moist growing season of eight months or more, and its rhizomes rot in cold, soggy soil.
It grows naturally from spring to autumn and dies down over winter, especially in cooler areas.
- South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers, North Queensland and Darwin: plant from August to November. It thrives in tropical and subtropical warmth.
- Sydney: marginal. Pre-sprout rhizomes indoors in August and plant out in October in a warm, sheltered spot.
- Perth: plant in August and September so it has the whole warm season to bulk up.
- Adelaide: marginal. Plant in September or October in pots in the warmest spot and bring them under cover in winter; expect light harvests.
- Melbourne, Hobart and Canberra: not suited outdoors, as the warm season is too short.
How to plant
- Buy fresh, plump rhizomes from a garden supplier or an organic grocer. Non-organic rhizomes may have been treated to stop sprouting.
- Break them into pieces about 5 cm long, each with at least one or two buds (small bumps).
- In cooler areas, pre-sprout the pieces in trays of moist potting mix somewhere warm before planting out.
- Plant about 5 cm deep, buds facing up, 30 to 40 cm apart in rich, well-drained soil.
- Water in and mulch. Shoots can take several weeks to appear, so keep the soil just moist, not wet, until they do.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil consistently moist through spring, summer and autumn, while the plant is in leaf, and mulch heavily to hold warmth and moisture. Do not let it become waterlogged.
Turmeric is a hungry crop. Feed with a complete fertiliser or well-rotted manure every six to eight weeks from spring to autumn. Ease off watering once the leaves start to yellow in late autumn.
Pruning and care through the year
- Mound a little soil or compost over the rhizomes as the clump grows.
- Protect young shoots from snails and slugs.
- Yellowing leaves during summer can mean waterlogging or a lack of nutrients; yellowing in late autumn is the normal end of the season.
Harvesting
Turmeric is ready about nine to ten months after planting, when the leaves have yellowed and died back. Dig the whole clump carefully with a fork, shake off the soil and break off the rhizomes. Keep some plump pieces to replant.
In warm areas you can leave part of the clump in the ground and dig as needed. In cooler areas, lift the whole crop before winter, as rhizomes rot in cold, wet soil. After harvest, cut the stems to ground level and water sparingly until spring.
Growing in pots
Turmeric grows well in a pot at least 30 cm wide and deep with a quality potting mix. Pots are a good choice in marginal areas, as they can be moved somewhere warm and sheltered for winter.
Using it
Grate fresh turmeric into curries, soups, rice, scrambled eggs, smoothies and juices, or slice and pickle it. It stains hands, chopping boards and clothes, so wear gloves. Fresh rhizomes keep a few weeks in the fridge, freeze well, and can be boiled, dried and ground into powder.
Saving rhizomes to replant
Keep some of the best, firm rhizomes from your harvest and store them somewhere cool, dry and dark over winter. Replant them in spring, or pre-sprout them first in cooler areas.
Companion planting
Turmeric suits a sheltered, partly shaded bed with other tropical plants that like rich, moist soil.
Good companions
- Ginger A close relative with the same warmth, shade and moisture needs; grow them side by side.
Pests and diseases
Turmeric has few pests. Rot in cold, wet soil is the main problem.
Pests to watch for
Diseases to watch for
- Rhizome rot Leaves yellow from the base and the rhizomes turn soft and smelly, in cold, waterlogged soil. Improve drainage and use healthy planting stock.
Common questions
When do I plant turmeric?
In spring once the weather warms: August to November in Queensland, the Northern Rivers and the tropics, August and September in Perth, and October in Sydney after pre-sprouting indoors. Pick your region at the top of the page for the months.
Can I grow turmeric from supermarket rhizomes?
Often, yes. Choose fresh, plump, organic rhizomes, as others may have been treated to stop them sprouting. Break them into pieces with a bud or two and plant them in spring.
When is turmeric ready to harvest?
About nine to ten months after planting, when the leaves have yellowed and died back. Dig the clump, keep some rhizomes for replanting, and use the rest fresh, frozen or dried.
Why are my turmeric leaves turning yellow?
In late autumn and winter that is normal: the plant is dying down and the rhizomes are ready. During summer, yellow leaves usually mean waterlogging or a lack of nutrients.
Can I grow turmeric in a pot?
Yes, in a pot at least 30 cm wide and deep. Pots suit cooler areas, because they can be moved somewhere warm and sheltered over winter.
Does turmeric need shade?
It grows best in part shade, or with morning sun and afternoon shade, in a warm, sheltered spot.
Sources we checked: Yates: How to grow turmeric; Gardening Australia: FAQs, harvesting turmeric; Gardening Australia: Ginger ninja.