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 Oct 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If you plant at the right time it shouldn't take too long to shoot - 2-3 weeks max - depends on soil temp.
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19 Sep 18, jeanneth (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Good day where can I buy ginger seeds. Kind regards Jeanneth
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04 Sep 18, Mongi Dlamini (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi I'm in KwaDukuza, KZN. I need to get seeds or plants to grow in my garden. Please help I will appreciate your help. Thanks
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26 Aug 18, Marg (Australia - temperate climate)
I live on the sth coast nsw and my ginger was pot planted 2016. The spring of 2017 crop was not amazing so I used a little and replanted majority. Now Sept 2018 and I can feel the large clumps In the pot soil! Looking forward to harvest and repotting. Your site has been well presented. Many thanks.
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06 Sep 18, Peter (Australia - temperate climate)
I have been growing ginger in West Gippsland for a couple of years, but always in the hothouse! Same with Lemon Grass, Galangal, water chestnuts and Turmeric. Although I have seen others who manage these in warm corners of their verandah.
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27 Aug 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
They don't recommend planting ginger in the temperate zone on this website so you are doing well. It is a warm climate crop so just remember that, if you have a poor year - probably had cool/cold weather. For more info google how to grow ginger.
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19 Sep 18, Bron (Australia - temperate climate)
Temperate Hunter is sub tropical ish now
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29 Jul 18, Ann Pulley (USA - Zone 6b climate)
I was wondering if it can be grown in zone 6b, in southern Missouri? Does it need anything special in winter?
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26 May 20, Chris (USA - Zone 7b climate)
It is very frost-sensitive and can't survive the ground freezing. You can grow it in pots and bring it indoors.
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22 Jul 18, Ismail (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Hi, can anyone help me to get some local ginger to plant at home. Just a few kg Thank you
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Showing 251 - 260 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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