Zingiber officinale
herbGinger is a tropical rhizome grown for its pungent, warmly spicy, citrus-edged root used fresh, dried, or in tea. Grown from a piece of plump rhizome, it forms a clump of reed-like leaves and needs a long, warm, humid season, so most US gardeners grow it in containers or as tender baby ginger.
Sun
partial shade
Water
Every 3 days
Harvest
~240 days
Difficulty
medium
Lifecycle
tender perennial
Perennial in warm zones; grown as an annual where winters freeze
Spacing
6-8 in. apart
Planting Depth
Rhizome 2-4 in. deep, buds up
Soil pH
5.5-6.5
Soil Type
Rich, loose, loamy
Hardiness Zones
Zones 8 – 13
When to Fertilize
Monthly through the growing season
Fertilizer
Balanced or compost; rich feeder
Presprout plump rhizome pieces with visible buds indoors in late winter, then plant them 2 to 4 inches deep with the buds facing up once soil warms past 60F. Ginger wants rich, loose soil, dappled shade in hot regions, and steady moisture, never soggy. Hill soil over the spreading pink rhizomes as they grow, like potatoes, and feed monthly. In cool climates grow it in a pot and bring it in before frost.
Start seeds indoors
Feb 18
Transplant outdoors
May 13
Projected first harvest
Jan 8
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Plant in well-drained soil, never let it stay waterlogged, and use fresh disease-free rhizomes
Most likely on indoor plants in dry air; raise humidity and rinse the foliage
Hose off colonies and support ladybugs and lacewings
Dig tender baby ginger after four to six months, or wait eight to ten months for mature, fibrous rhizomes once the leaves yellow and die back. Snap off what you need and replant a bud to keep a plant going; fresh ginger freezes well.
Ginger is rich in gingerol, an antioxidant compound long used to ease nausea, motion sickness, and digestion.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.