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 Mar 14, (USA - Zone 7b climate)
can i leave my ginger root in the ground year round in chesapeake va
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21 Jan 14, (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
where do we purchase ginger seeds/seedlings for planting
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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?
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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?
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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!
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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?
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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.
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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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