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

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09 May 17, (Australia - temperate climate)
I live i south Australia. I live in the Murraylands. I have bought some ginger which still have the tops on them. Can I plant them now. Or do I have to wait until September. If I have to wait., how do I keep the ones I bought for planting out in Spring.
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10 May 17, Giovanni (Australia - tropical climate)
You could plant them now but if you have frosty winters you may be better to store them in a pot of damp sand until spring.
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21 Apr 17, Dan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hey im looking in planting ginger on my block its on the mid north coast of Australia what would be the best type for this area?
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30 Apr 17, Jonno (Australia - temperate climate)
My research tells me that 'Queensland' is the best variety for processing and 'canton' is the best variety for fresh eating.
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12 Apr 17, kym (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I live in a frosty area but would like to grow ginger -and turmeric. I am able to position pots on my deck which receives a good amount of sun and am happy to arrange a clear plastic 'tee-pee' over the plants if this would be of any help. When would be the best time of year to plant ginger in pots? Your advice on this would be greatly appreciated
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13 Apr 17, Ken (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have grown ginger in the Latrobe Valley and we get quite a few frosts. I would wait until Spring to plant it when the weather has started to warm up. Use a good sized tub to reduce the chance of big temperature fluctuations in the growing medium. Buy a piece of ginger from a green grocer that has a number of buds on it and is nice and firm. Plant it just below the surface and wait for a couple of weeks for it to emerge. Ginger and Turmeric like plenty of manure and moisture but will not tolerate wet, soggy soil. Putting a plastic tent or cloche over it in the Spring would help. A piece of silver builders insulation paper fixed to a frame behind it would also help by radiating heat. All the best.
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17 Mar 17, Nikki (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, I have just bought a ginger plant and was wondering if I should plant it now or wait until spring? Any special treatment I should give it over winter? I suspect it is to small to harvest
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17 Mar 17, Jonno (Australia - temperate climate)
If your area is frost-free you could plant it but ensure drainage is good as it may rot in the colder soil. As ginger will be dormant over winter you may be better to save it for spring planting.
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17 Mar 17, Nikki (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Forgot to mention I live in Perth
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19 Mar 17, Jonno (Australia - temperate climate)
Should be able to plant ginger then. Perth drainage is good (sandy soil). The risk of rotting very low.
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We live in the Spencer Gulf area of South Australia, we have been growing Jarvanese Ginger for 5 years in a large 50ltre pot, in an acid potting mix. The ginger family has a large range, the familiar variety that is at the store when grown has a narrow leaf, where the curcumin, types have a broader leaf. The variety we have grown is known as SPECIES- Curcuma-Zanthorrhiza, FAMILY-Zingiberates,GENUS-Curcuma: Known as "Temulawak"-Jarvanese ginger it has broad leaves and grows 2 to 3 mitre in a pot, has a beautiful lavender flower when it blooms, requires high humidity and well shaded. We have it underneath banana palms in a pond area, plenty of water in the growing period, in a well draining pot. It has been in bloom since beginning of december. Once you have it growing well do not disturb it for at least 4 years, once the ginger plant dies down just keep the pot slightly moist until the shoots come through again at the begining of summer it is usually the last ginger plant to come through. To harvest just move the mulch to show the root and gently remove a piece, do not dig it up they do not like being disturbed, they live just below the surface under the top of the soil, they really are a pampered pet for us, as we live in a dry arid area, we keep it for its beauty not for eating it is too delicate. I hope thus helps you in your quest.

- Brenda Groffen

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