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 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

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19 Aug 20, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Have a look at this page www.gardenate.com/plant/Ginger?zone=114
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29 Jul 18, Ann Pulley (USA - Zone 6b climate)
I was wondering if it can be grown in zone 6b, in southern Missouri? Does it need anything special in winter?
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26 May 20, Chris (USA - Zone 7b climate)
It is very frost-sensitive and can't survive the ground freezing. You can grow it in pots and bring it indoors.
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04 Jul 18, T. Smith (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Most ginger that is purchased in a grocery store Is steamed to keep it from rooting or sprouting and give it longer shelf life. It will not grow or sprout. I store my ginger In a sealed plastic container and If it gets a little fuzzy I just rinse It a little with fresh water and Its fine. One day i had a piece that started to root so I put it on the window sill in a bowl on a wet paper towel and got a sprout. I think this variety looks a bit like Tai ginger so it may be imported and escaped the steaming.
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06 Mar 18, Bill Thomas (USA - Zone 6a climate)
Can I grow Ginger in my area and where do I get a plant or seeds. Thanks!
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26 Oct 17, Bonnie Fielder (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Need instruction on how to plant inside ,,,,,please ,,,,
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23 Sep 16, Le nguyen (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Where I can buy the ginger plant so I can grow it under ground? I live in CA
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01 Feb 17, Eric Ackley (USA - Zone 9a climate)
In the past, I have bought ginger at the grocery store. Plant several, and dig the root up when you want to use it, cut off a portion, and replant the rest. This year, i will plant more, as we only planted 1 ginger, and it got used up pretty quickly.
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03 Sep 16, Richard Devries (USA - Zone 6b climate)
Can I grow ginger indoors ? How big does pot have to be ?
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27 Aug 16, Kev (USA - Zone 5a climate)
Can Ginger be grown in California?
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Showing 31 - 40 of 46 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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