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

15 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
I have read of people growing ginger in Nebraska so you could give it a go. Ideally you need summer temperature of around 80 degrees F and a growing season of 5-6 months to be successful. you could simulate this by growing it in a large tub behind a sunny window then move it outside when the days are longer and warmer. A tunnel house or hothouse would also work. if you can fulfil these basic requirements 'go for it', that's what gardeners are about!
12 Mar 17, James. Bruce. (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am new to growing ginger, being south of Brisbane 40k inland of the coast. I would like to know if ginger ectra can grow here? We would like to grow them in large pots is this ok? do they like full sun, part shade or full shade?
13 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
You should be able to grow ginger, I grow it in southern Victoria. It will need a warm spot because it is a tropical plant. You could plant it in a big tub and move it under cover if you get frosts. Alternatively lift the rhizomes in autumn when the tops start to die off. Rhizomes can rot in cold, wet soil. Trust this helps.
11 Mar 17, Carmel (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am growing both ginger and turmeric and was wondering if cutting the tops off will encourage better growth of the actual ginger or turmeric ?
12 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
The leaves on a plant photosynthesise using sunlight to build the plant including the roots. While pinching out the tips on some plants encourages branching the better way to increas your rhizome size would be to feed the soil. Plenty of old manure and mulch. Trust this helps.
05 Mar 17, Dolly (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi what is the best month to plant ginger in north west brits and where can i get seedlings
07 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Ginger is best planted in the spring as the soil starts to warm up. Just buy an undamaged, unbruised piece of ginger from a fruit shop or market. Refer to the Gardenate planting notes for further information.
05 Mar 17, (Australia - tropical climate)
When the best time to plant ginger ? I live 80 km from Sydney on the coast
06 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
The best time to plant ginger is spring. Ginger will do well in well manured, well drained soil. It likes water but too much before it starts to sprout about a month after planting will cause the rhizomes to rot. Harvest the ginger in the autumn and let it air dry for while before storing in a cool dark place. In warm coastal, frost-free areas the main rhizome/s can be left in the ground. Trust this helps.
26 Jan 17, Pam (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My question is not about growing ginger although we do grow our own. I bought quite a big rhizome of ginger at a shop recently. On cutting into it we found that the flesh was green. There is also a ring of white flesh around the outside just under the skin. I'm wondering whether it's been sprayed and weather it's healthy. It's a product of Australia. Can anyone tell me if this is normal?
Showing 331 - 340 of 488 comments

Hi I’ve been be lucky with a super strong ginger plant food ginger not decorative) that has been growing for ~>6 months, and bringing up new shoots. The main plant is now flowering and still has vibrant green leaves. Is flowering good or bad? What should I do wait until the plant dies back?

- Rakesh

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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. GardenGrow 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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