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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09 Aug 15, Jess (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
My mum successfully grows it at Tweed
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18 Jul 15, Asa-Marie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Daniel, yes we have up in Lillian Rock, it grows very well here. Good luck!
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25 Jun 15, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I grow it in the Bellinger Valley, south of Coffs Harbour and near the coast, Daniel, it should be fine where you are.
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21 May 15, kathy Lawrence (Australia - tropical climate)
We have just moved to Tully North Queensland and was thinking of putting in some Ginger on our acreage , would you think it could be too wet up here, and where could we purchase some
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31 May 15, Joanne (Australia - tropical climate)
I'm in cairns and it grows pretty good here, as long as it has good drainage. I keep mine in a pot, and they say it doesn't like full sun but mine grows well in it. You should be able to grow it from a piece you buy at the supermarket:)
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29 Apr 15, alan (Australia - temperate climate)
after a couple of weeks a piece of ginger i bought from a green grocer has just sprouted. i have it in a small pot inside a homemade 'hot box' i made. the hot box is about 1 m cube with a 25w light bulb inside to keep it warm [approx 25 deg c]. i initially made the box to keep my ginger beer plant 'alive' to make ginger beer throughout winter - my family loves the stuff!
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15 Apr 15, Joyce (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I grow eating ginger in Adelaide, South Australia?
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20 Nov 14, Edna Sabile (Australia - tropical climate)
I'm looking for galagal where can I get or buy to plant?
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06 Dec 14, Leonie (Australia - temperate climate)
Daley's Fruit tree Nursery have galangal, although is listed as out of stock now so you may have to wait for next year.
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13 Sep 14, Olivia (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi there, a friend gave me a ginger plant but I've found different suggestions on the net wether to plant it in full sun or shade. Its a huge rhizome and app. 90 cm long green leafy stems. Should the whole root be covered by earth? I'm located in the Upper Hunter Valley, NSW. Thanks Olivia
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Showing 221 - 230 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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