How to Grow Galangal

Updated June 2026

A warm-season herb for the home garden.

What it looks like as it grows

Galangal is a rewarding warm-season crop for backyard growers.

🌱 Plant profile: Galangal, with sowing times for your region, companion plants and common pests.

When to plant

Plant Galangal in spring once the soil has warmed and all frost has passed. In the warmest regions a second crop is possible in late summer. See your region on the galangal page for exact timing.

Varieties

• Greater Galangal, Thai cooking rhizome (specialty growers)

How to grow it

• Sun & soil: part sun to light shade, rich well-drained soil with even moisture.
• Spacing: about 24 in between plants.
• Sowing: sow about 2 in deep.
• Water: roughly 1.6 gal per plant every 3 days in hot weather.

Pests & problems

In humid regions, Root rot in wet soil can appear, so space for airflow and water at the roots in the morning.

Harvest

Galangal is usually ready to harvest within roughly 10 months once established. Pick regularly to keep plants productive.

When to plant in your region

Pick your region to see exactly when to plant galangal where you garden.

See also: Galangal in the plant library →

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