Growing Ginger

Zingiber Officinale : Zingiberaceae / the ginger family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec

Not recommended for growing in USA - Zone 5a regions

  • Plant pieces of fresh root showing signs of shoots. Best planted at soil temperatures between 68°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 6 inches apart
  • Harvest in approximately 25 weeks. Reduce water as plant dies back to encourage rhizome growth.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Grow in separate bed

Your comments and tips

21 Jan 14, (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
where do we purchase ginger seeds/seedlings for planting
01 Mar 14, Lauren (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Just buy a ginger root from your local grocery store. Look for pieces that have what look like little shell like points along the root. Those are the growth points. Carefully cut the root into pieces, trying to keep as much root as possible around the points - this is where your new plant will get its starter nutrients, so the bigger it is the better the chance it will grow. Bury those about 5cm below the surface of your soil and water well. This makes a stunning indoor plant because when the leaves get big enough if you brush against them they give off a lovely spicy smell.
02 Jan 14, Jean Tencza (USA - Zone 9a climate)
The ginger that I see in stores in all from China. Are these tubers OK to use or are they treated with any substance so they can't be regrown?
01 Apr 14, Chris (USA - Zone 6b climate)
You can plant grocery store ginger. Look for as many "fingers" or bumps as possible as that is growth points on the root. Ginger enjoys well drained nutrient rich soil that dries between waterings. Grown in a pot by a window it will do very well.
01 Dec 13, Gay (USA - Zone 8b climate)
We have ginger growing in our garden that produces a beautiful reddish colored bloom. Is this an edible ginger?
23 Oct 13, Filbert Mzee (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I want to plant Ginger in Tanzania where can i get the planting material.Is there any company with planting material for Ginger?
08 Aug 13, Jagger (Australia - tropical climate)
I've moved from Brighton in Vic to Malaysia to China to rural Darwin. I grew to love Asian food. Since arriving in Darwin I have planted Ginger in a pot. Now in late July/ early August the leaves have died off and I am wondering what to do now. The previous year I left it and it turned to a hollow case of ginger bark. The year before that I harvested it and it was extremely woody. Can someone please tell me how to harvest, store and replant the ginger so I can increase my harvest year on year? Thanks!
22 Jun 13, John (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I've been growing what appears to be healthy Ginger for over 3 years now initially from rhizomes of ginger bought at the supermarket. But whenever I severe a piece for cooking it looks and smells nothing like ginger being a bleached white in colour. Is there something I'm missing in the process?
01 Aug 13, John (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
No, you're not missing anything. That's just new ginger which hasn't been out of the ground long enough for the skin to toughen. It looks good, smells great, and tastes even better. Has quite spice hit, too.
21 Apr 13, jayn (Australia - temperate climate)
I grow edible ginger, two varieties, in Stanthorpe. I established them from sprouting ginger bought at the shops in two old concrete laundry troughs filled with compost and sand. The troughs are set close to the alls of the house which is built from granite with huge thermal mass and storing heat from the combustion stove inside and the sun during the day in winter. I also have a few plants out in the reed bed seepage along with bananas which occasionally set fruit. It's all about niche planting. I can grow almost anything tropical in a place that it's supposed to be impossible.
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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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