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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10 Jun 20, Yggy (Australia - temperate climate)
If you cut a piece off the root in the soil, isn't the part left exposed where you cut susceptible to rotting? I heard somewhere to leave the plant to harden the area a bit before planting, but i don't know how that is meant to work in the soil..
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11 Jun 20, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
You say you are temperate and by this guide they don't suggest growing in temperate. Best grown in tropic and sub-tropic. Plants are pretty tough sometimes. 2 options, break some off and leave the piece in the ground exposed to the air to dry. Or don't water it for a few days/week or so.
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14 Sep 20, Sandy (Australia - tropical climate)
I grew ginger in an aquaponics set up in Perth. So it depends on where your temperate zone is. Full sun planted about now will give you results. Maybe not as good as tropical areas, but pretty good anyway.
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17 May 20, Sally (Australia - temperate climate)
May I plant ginger now — mid-May?
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23 May 20, Teresa (Australia - temperate climate)
Depending on where you live? It’s too cold for Melbourne now. Ginger should be planted in October.
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10 May 20, Sipho Babama (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Who are the suppliers of ginger seedlings or seed in south Africa? Any farm that i can visit that is currently planting ginger?
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11 May 20, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Type in where to buy ginger in south Africa in google. Some people say to use supermarket ginger.
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22 Apr 20, Gabrielle (USA - Zone 7a climate)
I'm in Knoxville, Tennessee. Can I grow ginger and will it return next spring/summer?
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22 Apr 20, M (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Go to the 7a zone in USA and check the planting time. THEY do not recommend planting it. It needs warm climate.
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21 Apr 20, Rakesh (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I’ve been be lucky with a super strong ginger plant food ginger not decorative) that has been growing for ~>6 months, and bringing up new shoots. The main plant is now flowering and still has vibrant green leaves. Is flowering good or bad? What should I do wait until the plant dies back?
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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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