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 New Zealand - cool/mountain 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

28 Aug 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Google - ginger plants - they seem to grow to about 18-24" high. Read about how to grow it. Regular fert each month - not one big hit of fert.
28 Aug 17, Geoffrey Page (Australia - tropical climate)
Sorry word that last comment wrong ginger is not doing well struggling is there a particular fertilize required
29 Aug 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A general all round fertiliser has about 10-12% N, 4-5% P and around 12-14% K for growing vegetables around here (Bundaberg) . Only way to know is do a soil test. If you dig up some ground put some dry matter (dry grass, manure, leaves etc and some fert and lime and give it 3-4 mths to all rot down you should have a reasonable soil. see how you plant goes in the next few months with the warmer weather.
24 Aug 17, Sam (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Where can I purchase ginger direct from the farmers to supply in Durban
08 Aug 17, Ken Lloyd (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi There, Where in the South West of Western Australia can I buy good young ginger to grow in pots
10 Aug 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I don't grow it but would suggest you ask a green grocer or nursery about it. Bunnings might even have it.
15 Jul 17, mick (Australia - temperate climate)
I had my first attempt at growing ginger late last year and harvested my first crop a month ago. Amazing and the taste was nothing like what you purchase in the shops. I will be replanting shortly and will then keep a permanent clump on a rotating basis. I have not bee so lucky with my galangal. Got a fair result and then split up the next season but lost almost all of it. It might have been too dry. Currently have plants growing which have been better located and on mounded soil. They are supposed to have yellow leaves as the middle of winter at present but the galangal is emerald green with no sign of having a break for winter. Maybe the roots remember last season and are making up for their poor results.......... Looking forward to trying this crop as well.
19 Jun 17, Andrew (Australia - tropical climate)
What is the required annually rainfall for ginger in the tropics?
19 Jun 17, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
"Ginger is a warm climate plant. It can be grown indoors in cool/temperate areas. To grow well it needs lots of water and nutrients. Prepare the soil by adding compost which will retain some moisture but not get saturated. Add a small amount of sand to ensure drainage. Water regularly in summer to keep moist". I would suggest a raised bed - even just a bed that is higher than the surrounding area. Doesn't have to be a constructed bed. Put plenty of compost and sand as suggested. A sandy soil rather than a clay soil - a good loamy soil. The trick is to keep it moist but not have it wet all the time.
06 Jun 17, Makhosi Kunene (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
im addicted to ginger and i want to start my very own garden of ginger, tired of buying
Showing 301 - 310 of 487 comments

Hi Lorna I have grown Thai Ginger successfully in 300mm pot with well draining potting mix in Cairns. I just keep replanting a few pieces after harvest. I mince the ginger, then freeze it in zip locks, in a sausage shape. Easy to cut a bit off when you need it.

- Fiona

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