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

03 Nov 22, GB (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Can ginger be grown in greenhouses (raised beds, plastic coverings, warmers as needed) in zone 9a? Have access to great soil, lots of water and high humidity.
18 Nov 22, Ruth A Hersh (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Absolutely
12 Nov 22, Julie (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I am very successful growing ginger in my 9b raised beds and clay succulent planters (a 2ft shallow clay pot you see at garden centers with annuals or cacti growing in them). I sow knobs I've purchased at the market (no problem with them sprouting) in the springtime though; as the summer heat comes on, I make sure to water every day. Just make sure you butt the broken off end against the side of the container, and allow the front part of the plant to grow forward towards the center of the pot. (Hopefully that makes sense).
06 Oct 22, Dennis (USA - Zone 8a climate)
I am in Zone 8a (Columbia, SC). Can I grow gingers outside all year around? Do you have any tips on growing gingers in Zone 8a?
10 Oct 22, Anonymous (USA - Zone 8a climate)
Gardenate doesn't recommend growing it anytime in your climate zone.Probably too cold.
30 Mar 22, SHERLYN RICHARDSON (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Hi can i grow ginger in zone 8b (Gardenate: Not recommended for growing in USA - Zone 8b regions)
20 Mar 22, Dee (USA - Zone 8b climate)
I have been growing edible ginger in a large 16” pot for the last three years from organic store-bought ginger root. I live in SE Alabama where summers can get extremely hot, so I make sure they get partial shade. I harvested the rhizomes in November when the canes were turning brown and the rhizomes were large & plump. It is now mid-March and temperatures are ranging from mid 60s to upper 70s, so I will break apart some of the rhizomes and let them scab over and replant in fresh soil in the next week or two.
31 Dec 21, Alesia (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Can I plant Ginger and Turmeric in the month of January? Zone 9b
06 Jan 22, Janet F (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Just checked my ginger pots, many little sprouts starting ( Basically like potatoes) so I just watered well and put them back on the heat mat. I bought the ginger at Whole Foods and rinsed it well in case of any growth inhibitors, cut it in 1-2” chunks with a few places that looked like they could be eyes, planted it in potting soil( 2-3 pieces per 6” pot) just barely covered and watered , put on heat mat with plastic wrap over since our house is old and drafty. But in zone 9 you may have a long enough growing time, I don’t so figured they’d need a head start.
06 Jan 22, Janet F (USA - Zone 6b climate)
You can start it inside. Check you tube, many videos. The rusted gardener has one, in bags on top of the fridge by see video for details. I tried some just in seed started but they didn’t sprout so about to do it in the bag method. Then pot up and outside after frost.
Showing 11 - 20 of 46 comments

I was wondering if it can be grown in zone 6b, in southern Missouri? Does it need anything special in winter?

- Ann Pulley

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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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