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 20°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 15 cm 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

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.
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
11 Jul 18, Sipho Stanford Monyai (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
When can I plant ginger in my area? Iam in the Letsitele area of Limpopo.
13 Jul 18, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Ginger can be planted any time after frosts have finished if you have them. It really needs a good growing season so don't plant it in Autumn
06 Jul 18, Pieter Wilken (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Why does my Ginger have a fibrous or stringy center? The rhizomes are a decent size.
04 Jul 18, T. Smith (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Most ginger that is purchased in a grocery store Is steamed to keep it from rooting or sprouting and give it longer shelf life. It will not grow or sprout. I store my ginger In a sealed plastic container and If it gets a little fuzzy I just rinse It a little with fresh water and Its fine. One day i had a piece that started to root so I put it on the window sill in a bowl on a wet paper towel and got a sprout. I think this variety looks a bit like Tai ginger so it may be imported and escaped the steaming.
26 Jun 18, Meisie Helm (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Can I plant ginger in Bethlehem Freestate South Africa
12 Jun 18, Andrisa (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Where can I order zingiber officinale root in South Africa?
02 Jun 18, Soumya Chowdhury (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
We want to grow ginger in pot , what should be the ideal size of pot? How can we prepare the soil , what should be the mix and proportions of garden soil , compost and other manure ? What will be the best time ( months) to plant ginger in Canberra ? We will be happy to receive your valuable advice . Regards.
07 Jun 18, Mike L (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It is a warm climate plant and you want to grow it in Canberra - cold.
Showing 261 - 270 of 489 comments

I have inherited a ginger crop from the previous owner of our house and have no idea how to harvest and replant. We bought the house in February 2016 and the ginger plant was about half a meter in height. I have not done anything until now and they have grown to about a meter in size but the leaves have been a bit damaged by grass hoppers. I dug up the crop to rebuild the vege garden and then replanted the crop in fresh good quality soil. Since then the plants have fallen over and don't look too healthy. Not sure if I should have planted them deeper or cut the whole leaf off and replanted the roots as described above. I am not sure how long they have been there but would really like to save them if possible. Any advice would be appreciated.

- Trudy

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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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