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 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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02 Dec 18, Terry (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have tried to grow ginger with very limited success for the past 3 years. Lack of water and TLC were the main reasons for those results. We were given 2 pieces of edible ginger in summer 2017 which I planted in pots .During July of this year 2018 I divided the ginger root into 13 pieces and planted in small pots with potting mix . All 13 pieces have now sprouted some over 30 cm high.I intend to plant all 13 plants into an area of ground which I have prepared with compost and straw from our chook pen .I hope this year wil be successful. Regards Terry
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02 Dec 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look up the internet on how to grow it - you might find some tips.
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22 Nov 18, Rudolph Snyman (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
I planted ginger in spring and watered them maybe once a week sometimes every second week in well drained soil with compost and bonemeal and some guano pellets. All my rhizomes rot. I planted a second time and its a month later and still no sign of my ginger growing. Can somebody please tell me why? I bought my rhizomes from the local vegetable market
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12 Feb 19, Margs (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I planted ginger from PnPay and put it in the ground which is mulched from the trees above it. I forgot about it for months until I saw this weird dark green shoot next to the baby palm. I was transplanting the palm and found my ginger! Maybe just don't water it if there's deep mulch above it? Winter rainfall area.
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20 Jan 19, Sandy Murray (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hello I have done the same. All the books say we should not get it from a local shop related but "natural " supplier if you find one please let me know! XXX
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31 Oct 18, Adriaan Le Roux (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Looking for ginger seed somewhere in South Africa
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26 Oct 18, Andrisa Schnell (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Where can I buy ginger roots
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20 Jul 19, Ismail (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Try the shongweni farmers market or store stocking local produce
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29 Oct 18, Bernadette (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Any supermarket.
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30 Sep 18, Omitton (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Actually am from Malawi am in searching of Ginger and Garlic seeds if possible to find it or is there any other way to find it or where can I find it? please contact me 0744720640
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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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