Black Turmeric Plant, Black Haldi - Plant

• Black Turmeric, Kali Haldi - Plant: Curcuma caesia, black turmeric or black zedoary is a perennial herb with bluish-black rhizome, native to North-East and Central India. The rhizome of black turmeric has a high economic importance owing to its putative medicinal properties. In west Bengal, the rhizome of the plant is used in Kali Puja, and hence the plant is called Kali haldi. The leaves have a deep violet-red patch which runs through the length of the lamina. Turmeric plant takes 8 to 10 months to mature. The flower is so attractive that it is worth growing for this alone.

Plant Specifications

• Plant Height: 18 inch (46 cm)
• Plant Spread: 7 inch (18 cm)

*above specification are indicative only. actual dimensions may vary by +-10%

• Common Name: Kali haldi, Krishna kedar, Black Turmeric
• Maximum Reachable Height: 1.5 to 3 feet
• Flower Colour: White
• Bloom Time: July to September
• Difficulty Level: Easy to grow

Planting and care

Choose a large pot as this herb can easily exceed the height and spread. Place it about 2 inches (5 cm) below the soil surface, with the buds facing up. Water the pot thoroughly, avoid overwatering. The crop is to be mulched immediately after planting with green leaves at the rate of 12-15 tonnes per hectare. It may be repeated for a second time after 50 days with the same quantity of green leaves after weeding and application of fertilizers. Pruning is not necessary, taking dried leaves off will be sufficient.

Black Turmeric Plant care

Curcuma Caesia usually grows in moist deciduous forests. The best season to plant turmeric is spring or summer. It requires warm and humid climate to thrive.keep the turmeric plant in partial sun in the warmer zones.

• Sunlight: Turmeric prefers warm direct or indirect sun.
• Watering: Keep the soil moist throughout the growing season from spring to fall.
• Soil: Rich organic soil that is moist and well-drained. It is grown on different types of soils from light black, ashy loam and red soils clay loam. However, it thrives the best in a well-drained sandy or clay loam.
• Temperature: 20 to 35 degrees C
• Fertilizer: Feeding with a liquid fertilizer in growing season is ideal.
• Harvest Season: The rhizome should be harvested in 9 to 10 months after planting.

Black Turmeric Plant special feature
Foliage & Rhizome
Black Turmeric Plant uses

Ornamental Use:
The plant is used for an ornamental purpose
Medicinal Use:

The rhizome of the plant is aromatic, contains essential oil and used for a variety of purposes
The characteristic pungent smell of the rhizome is due to the presence of essential oil rich in camphor and starch
The rhizome is traditionally used in the treatment of hemorrhoids, leprosy, asthma, cancer, fever, wounds, vomiting, menstrual disorder, anthelmentic, aphrodisiac, gonorrheal discharges and inflammation
Furthermore, the smooth muscle relaxant, anti-tumour and anti-oxidant properties of Curcuma Caesia rhizome extract had been reported
Note: Please consult your health expert before consuming

• Culinary Use: Used in Chinese recipes