Light. Morning sun with afternoon shade suits it. Some shade reduces heat stress, but heavy shade limits rhizome growth.
Water. Keep the soil evenly moist while it grows, but never waterlogged. Rhizomes rot in soggy soil.
Soil and feeding. Plant in well-drained soil amended with organic matter. It needs a moderate to high amount of fertilizer during the growing season.
Size. Grows to about 3 ft, with leaves about 5 inches wide.
Problems to watch. Root rots and root-knot nematodes occur in Florida; discard plants with rotten rhizomes. Spider mites appear when soil stays too dry. Slugs and snails chew young leaves; use Snail and Slug Bait following the label.
Good to know. Plant rhizome pieces 1 inch deep in early spring. Harvest in late fall or early winter, when the plant goes dormant. Freezes kill the leaves back, but it returns in late spring.
Sources: UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Turmeric · UF/IFAS Ask IFAS (EDIS): EP638 Ginger, Galangal, and Turmeric Production in Florida · NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Curcuma longa
