Herbaceous rhizome. 3 ft. Part sun.
Turmeric is a very versatile plant. The rhizomes are used for medicine, as a spice, and as a dye. Plants can reach three feet in height and have interesting flower bracts that can vary from white to yellow with pink. It is considered a tropical so it does best in afternoon shade in hot climates. Place in a well drained bed or in containers for ease of harvest.
Turmeric can be harvested completely each year after it has died back, or late winter if it only yellows, and the "mother" rhizomes and some fingers replanted in the spring. It may be slow to leaf out in the spring, depending on the weather, and also irregular in die back for the winter. A second harvest choice is to only harvest "fingers" off of the rhizomes as needed. It is suggested to rotate harvest between different plants when using this method so they can recover in between harvests. Just scoop the soil back to expose the rhizomes and use a sharp knife to cut off a piece. Use fresh, store in the refrigerator, freeze, or dry to process as a powder.
Turmeric can create large clumps whose rhizomes do not reach potential size if not harvested or divided for many years. It is best to do so at least every three years, harvesting the entire clump and replanting the larger, rougher "mother" rhizome. The years that you do not harvest, it is suggested to bring in potted turmeric to a cool, dry location during the wet of winter so the rhizomes do not rot.