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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03 Aug 16, Ken (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
What is "hidden ginger?". Is it also edible? I have grown ginger in containers for some years. Generally I have only had small rhizome develop. What should I do to increase their size? Thanks for all your help. Ken
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31 Jul 16, Sara (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in south west Sydney can grow it in the garden and when
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25 Sep 16, Michelle (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Sara, You can! I grew it for a couple of years in a pot when I lived in Panania (low-on-space-rental) and also the last few years in the Hawkesbury. It grows well in Sydney, we got a bumper crop from just 3 store bought pieces, harvested a year later. We would have gotten even more kgs if I have know it doesn't like direct sun, ours was a little sunburnt. We ended up making about 100 bottles of ginger beer and sharing them around :-) I'm going to plant again this weekend, close to a nice warm fence but out of direct sun. I'm also going to experiment with water loving herbs as a ground cover. I hope this will increase humidity and allow me a second crop for the space. Since ginger is upright, I can plant a companion ground-cover. Maybe strawberries or tarragon? Something that can handle lots of water. Cheers and happy gardening, Michelle
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19 Jul 16, Busi Zulu (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Can ginger grow in durban
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19 Jul 16, Robyn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can I leave my ginger in the ground or should I harvest it? This is the first year.
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20 Jul 16, Chris (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I grow mine in pots and harvest the ginger corms as needed, one or 2 pieces. If you dont touch it, it will die back and re shoot in spring. It will then grow bigger corms. Often gardeners only harvest it after two years especially in colder areas.
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19 Jun 16, Elly Bryen (Australia - arid climate)
Best to freeze it. Eith grate and freeze in small batches or in chunks of a size that you would normally use. Lasts about 6 months in the freezer
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13 Jun 16, cam (Australia - temperate climate)
hi, i am helping my mother harvest her ginger crop and she has an abundance! she lives in the mid north coast NSW at kings creek. Any advice on how long she can store it and how to would be most appreciated.
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09 Jun 16, Samirelchami (Australia - arid climate)
What is the best way to plant ginger thanks
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08 Jun 16, Barry (Australia - temperate climate)
I am from Wollongong and planted ginger root last spring and will be ready for robbing this coming spring, have given it regular water and sea weed fertilizer, it is in my herb garden and has really flourished so will keep it going.
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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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