How to Grow Ginger

A warm-season root for the home garden across the warmer US.

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

When to plant

Plant Ginger 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 ginger page for exact timing.

Varieties

• Edible ginger, Zingiber officinale, from clean seed rhizomes (garden centers / organic ginger)

How to grow it

• Sun & soil: part sun to light shade, rich well-drained soil with even moisture.
• Spacing: about 25 cm (10 in) between plants.
• Sowing: sow about 5 cm deep.
• Water: roughly 5 L per plant every 3 days in hot weather.

Pests & problems

In humid regions, Soft rot and Rhizome rot can appear, so space for airflow and water at the roots in the morning.

Harvest

Ginger is usually ready to harvest in about 9 months. Pick regularly to keep plants productive.

When to plant in your region

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

See also: Ginger in the plant library →

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