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

20 Mar 18, Phil Akers (Australia - temperate climate)
I live very close to Mount Annan Botanical gardens in New South Wales and I grow Ginger every year in large pots very well. I am going to plant some in my garden next spring and don't see why it shouldn't grow just as well. I always use pelletised chicken manure, blood and bone meal and a good helping of compost and keep well watered.
12 Mar 18, Andre Bester (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
will ginger grow Hydroponic, what chemical must be used. want to plant in a tonnel
10 Mar 18, Emily (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Hi good day, Please may I know what type of sand to use to plant ginger and where do I get/buy them from? Also are egg shells a good substitute for sand. Thanks lots for your help! Have a lovely day!
25 Mar 18, Prakash chandra (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Just put lots of compost in soil and plant ginger. You may have to wait for two years before you can dig ginger out. Within two years there will be enough big ginger formed.
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!
20 Feb 18, JOE TURNBULL (Australia - temperate climate)
Can i grow all year around or can i leave in the ground and it will reshoot ?
02 Mar 18, Hamsa (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Harvest ginger once the leaves die that usually happens in winter and leave some with roots in the ground for next year harvest A gardener told me, if I needed ginger before harvest time, break the ginger from the side of the main plant
20 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - tropical climate)
I suggest you read the commenst here about growing and harvesting ginger - it has it all here.
30 Jan 18, Stanley van Der Berg (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
how to plant and when,wild mountain Ginger.
27 Feb 18, Sheena (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Based on my personal experience, any time and just as long as there is an eye or shoot, just stick it in the ground facing up...my have always grown hassle free.
Showing 281 - 290 of 489 comments

Ginger will grow well where you live in Sydney. I grew it for years in the well draining garden beds in the ground, whilst living both at Badgerys Creek and Kurrajong areas. I now successfully grow it in pots in Canberra. Check out you tube for tips on the right shade, moisture and harvest tips. . I recommend watching 2 videos: one from Mark from north Qld ‘self sufficient me,’ & other one: ginger in a cold climate from Curtis Stone, for some skills. Ginger from the supermarket is not likely to grow if it’s not australian, because it is fumigated for import. Best success will be Organic Australian to get you started Be patient with ginger and do not over water it in winter. I didn’t use sand to mix in Sydney because it held too much moisture, so look into that. Vermiculite and perlite are good options, depending on whether in pots or in beds. All references are mentioned in good faith and without sponsorship. Hopefully you’ll find the information more helpful than my few words. Good luck :)

- Kel

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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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