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

16 Mar 18, Tracey (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi Karen Thanks for your comments. I am going to have a go at growing ginger inside. I love your tip on letting the cut ginger dry out before planting. I hadn't thought of that. Thanks. Tracey
09 Oct 16, Janet (Australia - temperate climate)
I bought a piece from supermarket Aus grown do I just put it in the ground whole or do I need to cut it in half , upright on its side etc first time grower all tips appreciated
25 Sep 16, Graeme Hedley (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
should i soak the ginger inwater over night to help it sprout and is it the same with tumeric
23 Sep 16, Le nguyen (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Where I can buy the ginger plant so I can grow it under ground? I live in CA
01 Feb 17, Eric Ackley (USA - Zone 9a climate)
In the past, I have bought ginger at the grocery store. Plant several, and dig the root up when you want to use it, cut off a portion, and replant the rest. This year, i will plant more, as we only planted 1 ginger, and it got used up pretty quickly.
20 Sep 16, Angi (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hey. I live in Qld, is it too late to plant out some ginger..... When would it be able to be harvested please?
18 Sep 16, Janice (Australia - temperate climate)
Can asarum the ornamental type not root ginger be grown in Victoria australia
09 Sep 16, Geoffrey (Australia - tropical climate)
I live in Darwin would I be better to grow Ginger in the ground or pots our wet season we can get a lot of rain
03 Sep 16, Richard Devries (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Can I grow ginger indoors ? How big does pot have to be ?
27 Aug 16, Kev (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Can Ginger be grown in California?
Showing 361 - 370 of 489 comments

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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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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