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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05 May 15, Carver Pop (Australia - arid climate)
I have 100sq metres to grow ginger in swaziland please tell me how to do it
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29 Apr 15, alan (Australia - temperate climate)
after a couple of weeks a piece of ginger i bought from a green grocer has just sprouted. i have it in a small pot inside a homemade 'hot box' i made. the hot box is about 1 m cube with a 25w light bulb inside to keep it warm [approx 25 deg c]. i initially made the box to keep my ginger beer plant 'alive' to make ginger beer throughout winter - my family loves the stuff!
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15 Apr 15, Joyce (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I grow eating ginger in Adelaide, South Australia?
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20 Nov 14, Edna Sabile (Australia - tropical climate)
I'm looking for galagal where can I get or buy to plant?
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06 Dec 14, Leonie (Australia - temperate climate)
Daley's Fruit tree Nursery have galangal, although is listed as out of stock now so you may have to wait for next year.
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08 Oct 14, Hermien (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I have 3 tunnels to plant ginger in.We stay in Groblersdal where it is very hot in the summers.how do i get started with seeds or ginger plants.tx
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13 Sep 14, Olivia (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi there, a friend gave me a ginger plant but I've found different suggestions on the net wether to plant it in full sun or shade. Its a huge rhizome and app. 90 cm long green leafy stems. Should the whole root be covered by earth? I'm located in the Upper Hunter Valley, NSW. Thanks Olivia
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18 Nov 14, damien (Australia - temperate climate)
if you are growing eating ginger, they prefer half sun/shade place. The best place would be seeing the morning sun, but not the lunch and afternoon sun, since lunch and afternoon sun are too strong and will burn the leafy. Also it would be best to water them each day if planted outdoor.
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08 Sep 14, faiz (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Help ! I need to buy some english cucumber seeds in cape town South Africa Thank you
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31 Aug 14, fast z (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Good day Can I please be advised where we can purchase edible ginger from Thanking you Far z
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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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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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