Growing Ginger

Zingiber Officinale : Zingiberaceae / the ginger family

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

(Best months for growing Ginger in Australia - temperate regions)

  • P = Plant root
  • 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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19 Jul 16, Robyn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can I leave my ginger in the ground or should I harvest it? This is the first year.
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20 Jul 16, Chris (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I grow mine in pots and harvest the ginger corms as needed, one or 2 pieces. If you dont touch it, it will die back and re shoot in spring. It will then grow bigger corms. Often gardeners only harvest it after two years especially in colder areas.
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19 Jun 16, Elly Bryen (Australia - arid climate)
Best to freeze it. Eith grate and freeze in small batches or in chunks of a size that you would normally use. Lasts about 6 months in the freezer
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13 Jun 16, cam (Australia - temperate climate)
hi, i am helping my mother harvest her ginger crop and she has an abundance! she lives in the mid north coast NSW at kings creek. Any advice on how long she can store it and how to would be most appreciated.
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09 Jun 16, Samirelchami (Australia - arid climate)
What is the best way to plant ginger thanks
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08 Jun 16, Barry (Australia - temperate climate)
I am from Wollongong and planted ginger root last spring and will be ready for robbing this coming spring, have given it regular water and sea weed fertilizer, it is in my herb garden and has really flourished so will keep it going.
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07 Jun 16, Linda Bruce (Australia - temperate climate)
What species of Ginger to eat the root, can I plant in Sub temperate Victoria Australia please?
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01 Jun 16, Malcolm (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Bernie i was keen to know if when freezing the garlic does it need to the skin peeled off before freezing? Cheers M
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15 May 16, tony (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Have planted my ginger months ago when do I havest it, it is still green but the bulbs are very big and healthy
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11 May 16, kevin caddies (Australia - tropical climate)
I live in Cairns and grow ginger in pots in full sun and water every day. First harvest last year. Planted some at a friends garden in Sydney and it has just started to shoot.
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Showing 191 - 200 of 254 comments
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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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