Curcuma longa Seeds | Turmeric
LATIN NAME: Curcuma longa
COMMON NAME: Turmeric
Plant Profile
Curcuma longa, commonly known as Turmeric, is a species with a long record in gardens. Turmeric is warm, golden, rhizome crop of tropical gardens, and orange-gold roots have been a staple of kitchens of warm world for thousands of years. Broad, handsome, lance-shaped leaves rise in a fine clump, and pale-yellow, cone-like flower heads open among them through warm season. Orange-gold rhizomes are heart of plant, dried and ground into fine, golden powder that colours and warms so many of dishes of the world. For the small amount of care it requires, the return is remarkable.
Science & Biotechnology
Within the Curcuma group, Curcuma longa is of continuing interest to researchers working on plant diversity, seed biology and the selection of improved garden forms. Turmeric has a strong and well-documented place in plant science, and orange-gold rhizomes have been studied for a very long time for their chemistry and their place in traditional practice of warm world. Breeders and collectors still work with it, so well-kept seed remains available.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Turmeric for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. Turmeric is grown for golden rhizomes, and dried, ground powder colours and warms curries, rice dishes, sauces and drinks of the world. Orange-gold roots have been a staple of warm kitchens for thousands of years, and plant is one of great spices of the trade. In garden broad, handsome leaves make a fine, bold clump, and cone-like flower heads are a quiet bonus. Once it has settled, the workload drops to almost nothing.
Turmeric is the world’s most famous functional spice: curcumin, its golden pigment, is among the most studied plant compounds, with human research on joint comfort and inflammation. In Chinese medicine related rhizomes, Jiang Huang and E Zhu, move blood and ease discomfort.
Growing from Seed
Turmeric grows readily from seed. Sow the seeds evenly over the surface and cover lightly in a loose, well-drained seed compost, keep the sowing evenly moist, and give the pot or tray bright light. Prick the seedlings out once they are large enough to handle, grow them on in bright light, and plant out when conditions allow.
Our Take
Turmeric repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
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