root · transplant · advanced
Turmeric: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating turmeric a few times a week needs about 2 plants in ~2 sq ft, worth about $3 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$2.00/lb retail, an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 1 | ~1 sq ft | ~2 | ~$2 |
| 2 people | 1 | ~1 sq ft | ~2 | ~$2 |
| 4 people | 2 | ~2 sq ft | ~3 | ~$3 |
| 6 people | 2 | ~2 sq ft | ~3 | ~$3 |
Spacing
8" in row · 18" between rows
Sow depth
2"
Days to harvest
240 from seed
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Jun 14 – Jul 14 | — |
Turmeric needs about 240 days and your first frost comes too early for that. Even the earliest date shown will not ripen outdoors here, grow it in a container you can move, or treat it as a short-season variety. | ||
| Zone 4 | Jun 9 – Jul 9 | — |
Turmeric needs about 240 days and your first frost comes too early for that. Even the earliest date shown will not ripen outdoors here, grow it in a container you can move, or treat it as a short-season variety. | ||
| Zone 5 | May 30 – Jun 29 | — |
Turmeric needs about 240 days and your first frost comes too early for that. Even the earliest date shown will not ripen outdoors here, grow it in a container you can move, or treat it as a short-season variety. | ||
| Zone 6 | May 20 – Jun 19 | — |
Turmeric needs about 240 days and your first frost comes too early for that. Even the earliest date shown will not ripen outdoors here, grow it in a container you can move, or treat it as a short-season variety. | ||
| Zone 7 | May 5 – Jun 4 | — |
Turmeric needs about 240 days and your first frost comes too early for that. Even the earliest date shown will not ripen outdoors here, grow it in a container you can move, or treat it as a short-season variety. | ||
| Zone 8 | Apr 24 – May 24 | — |
Turmeric needs about 240 days and your first frost comes too early for that. Even the earliest date shown will not ripen outdoors here, grow it in a container you can move, or treat it as a short-season variety. | ||
| Zone 9 | Mar 22 – Apr 21 | — |
Turmeric needs about 240 days and your first frost comes too early for that. Even the earliest date shown will not ripen outdoors here, grow it in a container you can move, or treat it as a short-season variety. | ||
| Zone 10 | Mar 2 – Mar 29 | — |
Know when it's time to plant
Give us your ZIP and we'll email you a planting checklist for your exact frost dates, this month's list right now, then once a month when sow windows open.
One email a month, only when there's something to plant. Unsubscribe anytime.
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Ready to pick when
Dig 8 to 10 months in, once the leaves yellow and dry. Rhizomes should be plump and bright orange inside.
Yield
About 0.75 lbs per plant over ~2 productive weeks (~0.75 lb).
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code, not just your zone, in about 60 seconds.
Turmeric keeps for months in cool storage. See how much to grow and store to feed your household, and how long it keeps.
Turmeric planting questions
How many turmeric plants do I need per person?+
For steady eating (about 3 servings a week), plan on roughly 1 plant per person. A family of 4 needs about 2 plants, which takes around 2 sq ft of bed space.
How much space does turmeric need?+
Space plants 8" apart in the row with 18" between rows. Sow 2" deep. Start indoors, transplant out.
When should I plant turmeric?+
It depends on your frost dates. Spring sowing is keyed to your last spring frost. The zone table on this page shows typical windows; enter your ZIP in the free planner for dates tuned to your exact location, not just your zone.
Is growing turmeric worth it?+
At about $2.00/lb retail and ~0.75 lb per plant, a family-of-4 planting is worth about $3 a year at the store. Prices vary by region and season, so treat it as an estimate.