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

14 Oct 19, anon (Australia - temperate climate)
Read the notes here . You can try to grow it in Melb, but you will have a small crop. Buy from a shop.
10 Oct 19, lorraine makar (Australia - temperate climate)
You do not mention where to position plants.Does it require full sun? full shade? morning sun? Evening sun? light shade? Will be planted outdoors in pot. Thankyou
16 Oct 19, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Google it.
28 Sep 19, Daan Erasmus (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I have tried for months to grow ginger from shop bought ginger. Nothing. Zilch. Please help.
30 Jul 20, Natalie (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
I have freshly harvested ginger with roots still attached and I get a very big crop from these ginger.
17 Oct 19, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Most ginger and also chilli and garlic bought in the shops are radiated for pests/diseases. This will also make the ginger/garlic/chilli seeds sterile.
22 Sep 19, Palo Mphethi (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
How do i get ginger seed?
12 Nov 19, Anon (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
You plant a knob of it. (One with a shoot helps)
28 Aug 19, Andrew Macdonald (Australia - tropical climate)
I have 2 large 2 metre square sq ginger plants. I want to trim off the dead leaves. can I burn ...set fire to the ginger plant and burn off all dead leaves.
19 Aug 19, lyric (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
what is the cultivar of the edible ginger. what type of diseases and pest that affect ginger.
Showing 191 - 200 of 487 comments

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

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.