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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02 May 18, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
If you read the notes here there is no planting guide for temperate climate as Ginger is a warm weather crop. If you live in a warm temperate area it might be worth a go or as it says here grow in doors. Plant later in the year like sub tropical.
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02 May 18, Hamsa (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
If you already have ginger roots, don’t buy them if you don’t have, put 1 root in each pot and put the pot under cover and keep watering, you have a higher chance of sprouting in spring
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28 Apr 18, Anneliese (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
After digging ginger how do you store it until replanting and how long will it keep
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22 Jul 18, Bernie (Australia - temperate climate)
I am just outside of Brisbane. I leave my ginger in an open area until the cut ends are well dried and then store them in a polystyrene box until I need them. I usually plant the new crop around mid to late October
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30 Apr 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Also go on the internet and type in how to grow ginger in Qld (???).
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30 Apr 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
From the notes on this website about growing ginger. "This perennial will die down in autumn. Remove the dead leaves. In spring lift the root clumps and break them up into smaller pieces to replant" LEAVE it in the ground if you haven't dug it up already. If dug up -probably best to store in a cool dry place over winter. .
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11 Apr 18, Marieta Fry (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Can u grow ginger in a pot in April ?
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22 Mar 18, YUSSUF (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
why my ginger fail to grow
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20 Mar 18, Phil Akers (Australia - temperate climate)
I live very close to Mount Annan Botanical gardens in New South Wales and I grow Ginger every year in large pots very well. I am going to plant some in my garden next spring and don't see why it shouldn't grow just as well. I always use pelletised chicken manure, blood and bone meal and a good helping of compost and keep well watered.
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12 Mar 18, Andre Bester (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
will ginger grow Hydroponic, what chemical must be used. want to plant in a tonnel
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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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