Growing Ginger at Home

— Written By Shannon Newton and last updated by
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The ginger plant (Zingiber officinale) is grown for its spicy, flavorful taste. The active ingredient in ginger is called gingerols. Gingerols are found in the rhizomes, which are different than roots. Rhizomes are considered underground stems with the ability to produce roots and shoots at each node

Buy Ginger Rhizomes:

Image of ginger root

Image: Texas A&M

To grow ginger at home, purchase fresh ginger rhizomes from a plant nursery or seed company source. If you can’t find a source, you can use grocery store ginger. If possible, buy organic ginger as it may not be treated with sprout inhibitor. If buying regular ginger at the grocery store, soak overnight in water. Discard the water. Be sure to purchase large, fat ginger rhizomes to start your plants.

When to start:

Image of ginger

Image: Penn State

Ginger is a tropical plant. It will not grow outside year-round in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 and below. If you live in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, 10, or 12 and temperatures do not fall to or below 32 degrees, you can safely grow ginger outside. The rest of us, can grow in containers or dig before frost. It does take about 8 to 10 months for a good crop of ginger.

How to Start:

Image of ginger rootEven the tropics have seasonal changes, so just like here follow the growing calendar. This makes mid-spring the natural time to start ginger. After purchasing your ginger rhizomes, leave on the counter in sun so the rhizomes start sprouting. It may take several weeks, so do not be concerned if it doesn’t happen right away. When the buds do swell, the rhizome may turn a yellow/green color. Do not worry if the rhizomes become shriveled or sunken. Cut the ginger rhizome into 1” to  1½” pieces with at least one “eye.” Let each piece with a cut end heal for a few hours or overnight. This allows the cut end to dry out and form callus before planting.

Potting:

Image of ginger pottingBecause ginger is a rhizome, not a root, it needs to be planted close to the soil surface. Ginger is used to moist well-drained soil, so the potting soil should be rich in organic matter, loose but not easy to dry out. Plant the ginger rhizomes 6” to 8” apart. A 15” container or larger will give room for you plants to grow and develop more rhizomes.

Plant so that the top of the rhizome is barely covered. The sides should be well covered, with almost no soil on top of the rhizomes.

Growing:

Grow ginger in 2 to 5 hours of direct sunlight. Be sure to protect from strong winds. You can put your ginger container outside after all danger of frost is past. Let it grow and flourish in your yard, on your patio or deck. Remember that ginger is from the tropics and cannot tolerate standing water or completely drying out. Once your ginger has started growing leaves, consider applying a mulch to the soil surface.

Fertilizing is needed once the plants start growing. Use an organic slow-release fertilizer or liquid fertilizer according to manufacturer’s recommendations for the container size.

Harvesting Your Ginger:

Image of a ginger bunch

Image: Texas A&M

After 8 to 10 months, it time to harvest your ginger rhizomes. Ginger will flower, so if waiting the 8-10 month period, harvest after flowering. If growing in containers, to move indoors once the fall temperatures begin to cool off. Do not allow plants to freeze. Dig the entire plant. Choose sections to save and replant them promptly. For the rhizomes you wish to save and use clip off the green leaves. Store your fresh ginger in the refrigerator or freezer. If left unpeeled, it can keep up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator or up to 6 months in the freezer.