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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22 Apr 20, M (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read the notes here about how to plant and grow it.The ginger plant and quite a few others die back in winter but shoot/grow again in the spring. Asparagus is very similar.
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06 Apr 20, Maria (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I grow ginger in a greenhouse? I know winter is coming... but I just want to save my shoots...
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20 Apr 20, Claudia (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Maria, ginger is a tropical, so it will need to keep warm. If your greenhouse is heated, great! Otherwise, grow it in a pot indoors, in a sunny spot. Not on the window sill, as it can get quite cold at night. Keep it moist, especially if you have the heater on, but don't overwater, as the rhizomes may rot.
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06 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read the notes here on how and what to do.
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28 Feb 20, Rebkah Medina (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in the South East of SA. Would I be able to grow ginger and turmeric? Will I have to make shade for them?
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01 Mar 20, Anon (Australia - temperate climate)
It doesn't give planting times here for ginger so you may not be able to grow them. Look up growing turmeric on the internet. Read the notes here I think it says ginger needs warm/ hot weather.
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20 Jan 20, Kelly (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello I live in Perth any chance of growing outside this will be .?
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17 Feb 20, Veronica Cook (Australia - tropical climate)
I have successfully grown ginger and have got my 2nd batch growing. We chose a large pot for the 1st lot as the plant grows sideways as the corms grow, this 2nd batch we have the 2nd lot we have put in larger containers. We live in Mandurah
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15 Jan 20, Alan (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi, does ginger need full sun, semi - shade or full shade? Where does it do best? How many hours of sunshine will best help ginger growth.
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16 Jan 20, Anon (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I suggest you use google,
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Showing 161 - 170 of 487 comments
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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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