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

19 Mar 15, Helen Swan (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I can get you turmeric
28 Nov 16, marry (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi Helen Swan, I'm also looking for turmeric can you also help me please.
22 Nov 18, Rudolph Snyman (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I have lots of tumeric plants I am from Kroonstad in the Freestate if you are interrested
16 Feb 15, michael basson (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Hi John I use quite a bit of ginger and am interested in growing it. Where you successful growing ginger in Cape town? We live in Darling and our climate should be the same Michael
12 Jul 14, slabbie (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Where can I buy ginger plants or seedlings in Gauteng area. I`m farming on Moloto north east of Pretoria in the Rust Der Winter area which is very hot and i`ve got more tha enough water. Thanx Slabbie
20 Jun 14, jess nicolle (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I HAVE GINGER PLANTS WITH A BIG SPECTACULAR FLOWER AND PERFUME. IS THE ROOT EDIBLE.
08 Jul 14, Ken Hounsom (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I think that you are referring to Wild Ginger,which is not edible. .It is an Invader species.
05 Jun 14, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I've experimented with growing ginger for home use in Durban - somewhat successful. To obtain shoots for ginger growing, take several young shoots and place in see-through plastic bag and leave in a shaded/dark area for at least 2 weeks and u will observe the sproughts, Then remove from bag and plant.
02 May 14, Klippie Melck (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can edible ginger be grown in a shade-cloth tunnel in Central Free State, we have plenty of water. Presume next planting would be in Spring after last frosts. Sliced ginger with a teaspoon of honey in half a cup of boiling water is great for easing and relieving cold systems.
15 Apr 14, PULE RAKOTO (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
ANYTHING ABOUT HOW TO PLANT GINGER
Showing 131 - 140 of 150 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

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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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