Is grocery store turmeric suitable for planting?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Grocery store turmeric provides accessible planting material but comes with some serious limitations. Even though store-bought, grocery store turmeric resembles nursery rhizomes, commercial roots are subjected to treatments that impact their viability. My experience with store-bought turmeric, spanning three growing seasons, reveals inconsistent results in growth and viability compared to certified organic sources of turmeric rhizomes. Accepting this limitation before using grocery store turmeric can be a sure way to bypass disappointment.
The majority of commercial turmeric undergoes growth inhibitors or irradiation to prevent sprouting before being shipped. Based on my experience, this reduces viability to less than 20%. Organic turmeric has improved odds, but those then have no guarantees on the sprouting of any eyes. Always look for plumpness and eyes before purchasing.
Selection Criteria
- Choose plump, firm rhizomes without wrinkles or soft spots
- Prioritize organic sections for lower chemical exposure
- Identify visible buds (eyes) similar to potato sprouts
- Avoid pieces with cut surfaces or bruises
Viability Boosters
- Soak 24 hours in room-temperature water to rehydrate
- Scrub gently with vinegar solution to remove inhibitors
- Pre-sprout on damp paper towels in dark for 1-2 weeks
- Discard pieces showing mold or discoloration
Planting Adjustments
- Plant 3-4 segments per container to offset low sprout rates
- Use bottom heat mats set at 80°F (27°C)
- Extend sprouting timeline expectation to 8-12 weeks
- Monitor daily for fungal issues during extended dormancy
To avoid headaches from harvesting unreliable turmeric and ensure you have useful information, supplement your grocery turmeric with certified organic rhizomes. I like to combine sources and plant grocery turmeric and nursery stock simultaneously. Then I have backup plants while I test the grocery turmeric's viability. Lastly, I quarantine the grocery turmeric for 48 hours on the off chance that I might introduce something to the plants.
Post-planting care will be different for grocery turmeric. Use plastic covers to bump up humidity to 70% when the plant sprouts. Do not water much until sprouts emerge to avoid rot. I now use diluted seaweed extract instead of fertilizer for the first 8 weeks. This, I think, helps stressed roots.
Notwithstanding challenges, my successful grocery turmeric plant produced satisfying harvests. My turmeric plants, grown from market roots, are now making a bountiful harvest regularly. Patience is truly essential; the initial harvest is small, but it grows each season. Be sure to document all the aspects of your growing process to help you improve and adapt as you continue to plant.
Read the full article: How to Grow Turmeric Indoors Successfully
