It's curcuma season here at Costa Farms (we typically send them to stores in late May, June, July, and August), and that means we're getting lots of questions about these spectacular plants. Here are five curcuma facts to help you enjoy yours at home. 

Perfect for Pots? 

You can plant curcuma in garden beds and borders or enjoy it as a potted plant. Happily, it thrives either way! If you plant it in the ground, you’ll find your curcuma does best in moist, well-drained soil that’s rich in organic matter. If you have soil with a lot of sand or clay, add liberal amounts of organic matter before planting.  

Sun or Shade?

These tropical beauties grow in sun or shade. Personally, I’ve found they do best for me in morning sun and just a bit of afternoon shade. But you can grow them in a spot that gets sun all day long – just be sure to keep them moist. 

Do They Spread? 

Curcumas don’t really spread, so they should be about the same size at the end of the season as they are when you buy them. If you keep them from year to year, they will send up a few new leaves each season, but you can expect them to stay relatively small. 

What About Winter? 

Because curcumas come from areas that don’t get frost, they don’t survive cold winters. If you live in an area that experiences freezing temperatures, you’ll need to consider them an annual and plant new ones every year or keep them in a frost-free spot over the winter. Learn how to care for curcuma in winter.  

Is It a Houseplant? 

Curcumas don’t make for great houseplants because they naturally go dormant (lose their leaves and flowers) when the days get short. So while you can display it in a bright window during the summer months, come fall, the plant will appear to die back and you’ll be left with an empty pot until late spring. 

Written by Justin Hancock