Stevia, Ginger and Turmeric On a Windowsill
Answered by: Inge Poot
Question from: Oscar Chica
Posted on: January 17, 2006

I want to order stevia, ginger and turmeric plants to grow in my kitchen in order to have a handy supply of those condiments and not have to buy them everytime, dried, at the store. Can any of these plants survive indoors in a pot? If so, what is their longevity when grown in a pot indoors?

All three can survive in pots on a sunny window, but all need special care. Stevia has to be kept cool and on the dry side in winter. Ginger has to be given a winter rest during which time the tops will die down. It is at that time that ginger should be harvested- use the back portion and save the front 5 cm for next year’s plant. Turmeric has to have very strong light, warm growing conditions and a minimum of 12 hours of day-light to even think about blooming. They never bloom in our greenhouses. I understand that the leaves also give a mild version of the turmeric taste, but I don’t know if they have the same medicinal properties as the seeds. The latter are reputed to have leukemia and Alzheimer’s preventative properties. The plant itself is bound to be the longest lived of the three.

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