Turmeric plants grown outdoors delight the gardener's heart with their magnificent flowers for at least three weeks in the summer. The plants also look very attractive with their fresh green leaves during the rest of the growing season.

Turmeric is not only healthy but also pretty to look at

shape and structure of the leaves

As a rule, turmeric plants can reach a height of about 80 to 100 cm in a pot or in an outdoor bed. The leaf sheaths of the leaves arranged one above the other form what is known as a pseudostem. The oblong and up to a maximum of 90 cm long leaves are arranged alternately and usually have a pointed end. The spiked inflorescences of turmeric, which appear very striking at first glance, actually consist of rather inconspicuous flowers and the bracts that contrast in color with the green of the plants. These pointed bracts on the flowers are the reason for the importance of turmeric as a decorative houseplant. More important in terms of cultivation, however, are the rhizomes, which have also given the turmeric plants the following names:

  • turmeric
  • saffron root
  • Yellow Ginger

Don't panic about wilting turmeric leaves

Again and again we read about hobby gardeners who, frustrated, dispose of their turmeric plants on the compost heap after an initially pleasant summer. Then care errors are usually suspected as reasons for the plants to die in autumn. In reality, however, this is a misunderstanding: After all, it is quite normal with the various turmeric varieties that the flowers and leaves die off after a growing season and the plants retreat to their underground survival organ in the form of a rhizome. So wear it with composure and remove wilting foliage in the fall without resentment. You can either dig up the tubers or overwinter them in the pot indoors. In the spring you can then plant the tubers in a pot indoors and place the young plants outside again from May.

Check the leaves regularly for pest infestation

Turmeric is often grown from tubers and cultivated on the windowsill or in the conservatory. At high temperatures and low humidity, spider mites can sometimes occur in the house. You should therefore regularly check the leaves for the typical white webs and remove them if necessary with a sharp jet of water or appropriate treatment products from specialist shops.

tips

Some of the leaves of turmeric can be sensitive to extreme heat, drought and intense sunlight. The plants should therefore not be planted in the blazing sun and in locations with a tendency to heat build-up.

Category:

Vegetable garden