Lyla Lindsey
Ginger is a lush tropical plant that can grow up to 1 metre tall and is a great addition to any garden. It is a versatile ingredient in the kitchen, adding zest and zing to drinks, stir-fries, curries, biscuits, cakes, and tea. Tropical and subtropical gardeners can grow ginger year-round in warm and humid climates. Temperate gardeners will be able to grow ginger during the warmer months unless they have a greenhouse or similar to protect the plant from cold winter nights and frost.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Climate | Tropical, subtropical, and warm |
| Soil | Well-drained, compost-rich, moist but not soggy |
| Sunlight | Full sun or part shade, at least 3 hours of full sun per day |
| Pot | Minimum 40 litres, 30-40 cm wide |
| Planting Time | October in warm areas, November in cooler areas, spring for 8 months of growing time |
| Harvest Time | Late summer for smaller rhizomes, early winter for larger rhizomes |
| Pests | Aphids, snails, and slugs |
| Common Issues | Root rot, fungal diseases |
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What You'll Learn
Ginger rhizomes and planting
Ginger rhizomes are the roots of the ginger plant that are harvested and used as a spice. You can grow ginger plants from store-bought ginger rhizomes or small potted ginger plants, which are sometimes available at garden centres. It is best to use organic ginger rhizomes, which can be cut into 3 cm long pieces, ensuring that each piece has several 'eyes' or buds where shoots will develop. Leave the rhizome pieces to cure or dry out for a few days, then plant them 5-10 cm deep in the soil with the growth eye pointing up. For multiple pieces, plant them 20 cm apart.
If you are planting ginger in a container, choose a pot that is at least 30-40 cm wide, which can accommodate three rhizome pieces, and fill it with a blend of premium potting mix and compost. In tropical regions, it is recommended to plant ginger in part shade to avoid the intense summer sun, while in cooler areas, black containers are preferable as they absorb heat. Place the pots in a greenhouse or a warm, bright room indoors.
To grow ginger successfully, it is important to prepare the soil properly. Improve the soil by mixing in organic matter such as aged animal manure or compost. Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged, and water deeply in the early morning or late afternoon. Avoid watering the leaves to prevent fungal diseases. Ginger plants require regular watering during the growing season, and reducing watering as the plant dies back will encourage rhizome growth.
Harvesting can be done in late summer by plunging an old knife into the soil and cutting out a piece of the rhizome, leaving the rest to continue growing. For larger rhizomes, wait until early winter, about eight months after planting. After harvesting, dig up the ginger and wash the soil off the rhizome with running water, then leave it to dry before using or storing. Replant a few healthy rhizomes to start the cycle anew.
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Soil preparation and fertiliser
Soil preparation is key to growing ginger successfully. Ginger plants need well-drained, compost-rich soil that is consistently moist but not soggy. Before planting, prepare the soil by weeding it thoroughly, digging it over to loosen it, and adding aged animal manure or compost. You can also mix in a handful of Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser or Scotts Performance Naturals Organic Based Soil Improver and Scotts Performance Naturals All-Purpose Organic Based Fertiliser to create soil that is rich in organic matter.
If growing ginger in a container, choose a pot that is at least 30-40cm wide and fill it with a quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. A blend of 50:50 premium potting mix and compost is also recommended. Make sure your container is large enough for mature plants; a minimum volume of 40 litres is recommended for ginger.
Ginger plants require regular watering during the growing season, especially in the early morning or late afternoon. Avoid letting the soil dry out, but be careful not to waterlog it either. Reducing watering as the plant dies back in autumn or winter will encourage rhizome growth.
In poor soil or to give your plants a boost, you can apply a balanced fertiliser or one formulated for fruit and vegetables. Apply a slow-release fertiliser when shoots are 5-10cm tall, and liquid fertiliser during spring and summer, following the recommended rate and frequency. If the soil was well-prepared, no extra fertiliser should be necessary.
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Climate and temperature
Ginger thrives in tropical, subtropical, and warm climates and can be grown year-round in such environments. In Australia, tropical and subtropical gardeners can cultivate ginger all year if the climate is warm and humid. In temperate climates, ginger can be grown outdoors during the warmer months, but it will need to be protected from cold winter nights and frost. Gardeners in temperate regions can also grow ginger in a greenhouse or bring the plant indoors during winter.
For gardeners in alpine areas, the growing season is shorter than in coastal areas, even though both are classified as "Cool Temperate" zones. Gardeners in cool regions should consider the "days to maturity" information for each ginger variety and select those that will mature within a short (6-12 week) growing season.
In tropical regions, ginger is best planted in partial shade to avoid the intense summer sun. In cool southern areas, black containers are recommended for ginger cultivation as they absorb heat. Place the containers in a greenhouse or a warm, bright room to provide the necessary warmth for the plants.
When growing ginger, it is essential to maintain moist, well-drained soil. Watering should be regular during the growing season, but the soil should not be soggy or waterlogged. To prevent root rot, ensure that the plant's roots are moist, and the soil has good drainage.
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Common pests and prevention
Ginger plants are susceptible to pests and diseases, but with proper care, your plants should thrive. Keep an eye out for pests such as aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites, which can damage the leaves and stems of ginger plants. Aphids are small sap-sucking insects that can cause ginger foliage to yellow or distort. They can be green, yellow, brown, or black and often congregate on newly emerging leaves. To control aphids, spray plants thoroughly every 5-7 days with a suitable insecticide.
Mealybugs can cause the ginger plant to appear stunted or deformed, and the leaves may be covered in a white, fluffy material. To control mealybugs, remove affected leaves and treat the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Spider mites are tiny pests that cause yellow or white speckling on the leaves. They are difficult to see, but you may notice fine webbing on the plant. To control spider mites, spray the plant with water to reduce dust and humidity, which they thrive in. You can also use miticides or predatory insects such as ladybugs.
Root knot nematodes are another common pest that can cause the roots of the ginger plant to become swollen and deformed, leading to leaf wilt and yellowing. They are challenging to control once established. To prevent root knot nematodes, practice good hygiene, avoid overwatering, and use resistant plant varieties if possible. Slugs and snails are also common pests that can cause significant damage to young ginger shoots. To protect your plants, use beer traps or snail and slug pellets.
In addition to pests, ginger plants can be affected by diseases such as bacterial leaf spot, which causes irregularly shaped brown spots on all above-ground parts of the plant. To manage this disease, water the plants at the soil level, dispose of fallen leaves and fruit, and practice crop rotation. Fusarium wilt and verticillium wilt are caused by soil-borne fungi that prevent water and nutrients from reaching the plant. There is no cure for these diseases, but you can help prevent their spread by choosing resistant plant varieties, disposing of affected plants and soil, and practicing good garden hygiene and crop rotation. Root rot is another common issue, which can be prevented by ensuring the soil is moist but never soggy and has good drainage.
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Harvesting and replanting
Ginger is usually ready to harvest in late summer or early winter, about eight months after planting. You can start harvesting when the plant outgrows its pot or in autumn. You can use an old knife to plunge into the soil and cut out a piece of the rhizome, leaving the rest in the ground to continue growing. If you want to harvest the largest rhizomes, wait until early winter.
To harvest, dig up the ginger plant and wash the soil off the rhizome with running water. Leave it to dry before using or storing. You can use the rhizomes for stir-fries, curries, teas, or dry them to make ground ginger.
To replant, simply begin the cycle again by choosing a few healthy rhizomes and planting them 5-10 cm deep with a growth eye pointing up. Leave 20-30 cm between pieces. You can replant ginger in the exact same place, as long as there is compost and moisture.
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Frequently asked questions
The best time to plant ginger is October in warm areas and November in cooler areas. It's recommended to plant ginger during spring, to allow it 8 months of warm-weather growing time prior to harvest.
You can grow ginger plants from store-bought ginger rhizomes or small potted ginger plants. To grow from a rhizome, cut the rhizome into 3 cm long pieces, ensuring each piece has several 'eyes' or buds where shoots will develop. Leave the rhizome to cure or dry out for a few days, then plant 5-10 cm deep in the potting mix. For multiple pieces, plant 20 cm apart.
Water the plants well and regularly during the growing season to ensure the soil is consistently moist but not soggy. Ginger plants need well-drained soil enriched with organic matter and plenty of sunlight.
There is usually something to harvest by late summer. You can use an old knife to plunge into the soil and cut out a piece of rhizome, leaving the rest to continue growing. To harvest the largest rhizomes, wait until early winter, about eight months after planting.
