Growing Ginger

Zingiber Officinale : Zingiberaceae / the ginger family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
P P P           P P P P

(Best months for growing Ginger in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • P = Plant root
  • 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
09 May 17, (Australia - temperate climate)
I live i south Australia. I live in the Murraylands. I have bought some ginger which still have the tops on them. Can I plant them now. Or do I have to wait until September. If I have to wait., how do I keep the ones I bought for planting out in Spring.
Reply or Post a new comment
10 May 17, Giovanni (Australia - tropical climate)
You could plant them now but if you have frosty winters you may be better to store them in a pot of damp sand until spring.
Reply or Post a new comment
21 Apr 17, Dan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hey im looking in planting ginger on my block its on the mid north coast of Australia what would be the best type for this area?
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Apr 17, Jonno (Australia - temperate climate)
My research tells me that 'Queensland' is the best variety for processing and 'canton' is the best variety for fresh eating.
Reply or Post a new comment
12 Apr 17, kym (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I live in a frosty area but would like to grow ginger -and turmeric. I am able to position pots on my deck which receives a good amount of sun and am happy to arrange a clear plastic 'tee-pee' over the plants if this would be of any help. When would be the best time of year to plant ginger in pots? Your advice on this would be greatly appreciated
Reply or Post a new comment
13 Apr 17, Ken (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have grown ginger in the Latrobe Valley and we get quite a few frosts. I would wait until Spring to plant it when the weather has started to warm up. Use a good sized tub to reduce the chance of big temperature fluctuations in the growing medium. Buy a piece of ginger from a green grocer that has a number of buds on it and is nice and firm. Plant it just below the surface and wait for a couple of weeks for it to emerge. Ginger and Turmeric like plenty of manure and moisture but will not tolerate wet, soggy soil. Putting a plastic tent or cloche over it in the Spring would help. A piece of silver builders insulation paper fixed to a frame behind it would also help by radiating heat. All the best.
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Mar 17, Nikki (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, I have just bought a ginger plant and was wondering if I should plant it now or wait until spring? Any special treatment I should give it over winter? I suspect it is to small to harvest
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Mar 17, Jonno (Australia - temperate climate)
If your area is frost-free you could plant it but ensure drainage is good as it may rot in the colder soil. As ginger will be dormant over winter you may be better to save it for spring planting.
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Mar 17, Nikki (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Forgot to mention I live in Perth
Reply or Post a new comment
19 Mar 17, Jonno (Australia - temperate climate)
Should be able to plant ginger then. Perth drainage is good (sandy soil). The risk of rotting very low.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 151 - 160 of 254 comments
See comments for all plants

You didn't say when you did this, but disturbing the ginger before it died off in winter was your problem. At the moment all its energy is going into maintaining the leaves. I would chop them off or at least by half if some are still good and it will then try to save it's roots and ,maintain the ginger corm. It should then send up new leaves when ready. Keep it moist but not wet so,it doesn't rot. If by winter nothing has happened, dig it up and check the corms are healthy, split if big and replant. Edible ginger is better every two years as bigger corms form, which is when I divide. It freezes in alfoil also. Fresh ginger can be harvested carefully anytime from side.Hope this helps.

- Chris

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.