Ginger's triumph as a superlative medicinal and spice plant has taken adventurous gardeners' hearts by storm. Fresh home-grown tubers delight with their unsurpassed aroma, invigorating spiciness and beneficial healing properties. Reason enough to plant your own ginger roots from now on. These instructions explain when, where and how to properly plant the magical plant with the bizarre rhizome indoors and outdoors.
When should you plant ginger?
Plant ginger outdoors from mid to late May and grow the plants indoors in late winter. Ginger has few requirements when it comes to location. The plants need temperatures from 20 °C and a sunny to semi-shady place.
Growing ginger in the garden – planting instructions
Even pre-grown or purchased young plants are ideal as planting material for growing ginger in the garden, greenhouse or raised bed. Alternatively, use a fresh ginger root or root pieces with at least one puffy eye. How to plant with expertise:
- Weed the soil and loosen it thoroughly with the rake
- dig shallow pits at a distance of 20 to 30 cm
- Mix the excavated material with leaf compost and coconut humm or sand
- place a rhizome or section horizontally in each hole with the buds facing up
- Cover the ginger with soil about 5 cm thick and press it down
In the last step, water the bed with a fine spray of soft rainwater or well-stale tap water. Are you struggling with voracious voles or tunnel-digging moles in your garden? Then we recommend planting each rhizome including the vole basket.
Ginger from your own garden is a special treat
Caring for ginger in the garden – instructions
If ginger thrives in the bed, the watering can is only used when the sky keeps its floodgates closed. On warm summer days and when it is dry in autumn, please use a thumb test to check whether there is a need for watering. Press a finger into the ground and do not feel any moisture, please pour water from the rain barrel. From June until harvest, fertilize with leaf compost or bark humus, which you lightly rake in every four to six weeks and water with soft water.
Ginger comes from tropical regions and is not frost-resistant. This does not detract from its appreciation as a legendary medicinal and spice plant.
Which location is suitable?
The modest requirements of a ginger plant are met in a sunny to partially shaded location with temperatures starting at 20 degrees Celsius. Many locations can boast these light and temperature conditions indoors or outdoors. The following table lists proven options for growing ginger:
| Garden | Balcony/Terrace | House/Apartment |
|---|---|---|
| Raised bed | South, west or east balcony | sunny windowsill |
| Greenhouse | sunny wall niche | Winter Garden |
| Vegetable patch | on the floor in front of the railing | glazed extension |
| Perennial bed | in the flower box as a privacy screen | |
| Herb garden | Roof terrace |
Ingwer erfolgreich anbauen 4 | Ingwer pflanzen | Ingwer im Kübel anbauen
When is planting time?
Hobby gardeners with their own bed, raised bed or greenhouse complete the cultivation of ginger in two stages. Thanks to cultivation on the windowsill in late winter, young plants start the season with a vital growth lead. The best time of year for planting in the bed is in spring, when there is no longer any risk of severe frost from mid to late May.
Which soil promotes growth and yield?
Ginger thrives in a sunny, warm location in any good garden soil that has proven itself as potting soil for vegetables, herbs or onion flowers. A mix of ripe, sifted compost and topsoil, characterized by vital soil life, is desirable. The soil should be fresh to moderately moist, without the risk of waterlogging. The addition of additives such as sand or coconut humus is advantageous for reliable permeability.
Growing ginger plants in pots – how does it work?
Ginger can also be grown in a pot
Balcony and indoor gardeners plant and harvest ginger in pots. This has the advantage that cultivation begins in February. Thanks to this cultivation method, the tropical plant has a longer growing season in the Central European climate than in the open field. This makes sense given the 250 day period between planting and harvesting. The following instructions explain step by step how to plant ginger at home. This is how it works indoors and on the balcony:
Material requirements
- 1 Organic ginger (whole, fresh tuber with many, thick eyes)
- Organic vegetable soil based on compost without peat
- Pot or bucket with bottom opening as a water drain
- Potter shards or expanded clay for drainage
- sharp, disinfected knife
- Watering can with shower attachment or spray bottle
- Soft, low-lime water
Substrate quality plays a key role in profitable ginger cultivation. The soil should be permeable and yet retain water well so that the fleshy rhizomes do not rot. Conventional, mineral-preferred potting soil with a high peat content does not meet the requirements. We recommend organically fertilized vegetable substrate, which you can give the perfect consistency for ginger bulbs by adding coconut hum.
Planting in a pot – step-by-step instructions
- Cut the root into 3-5 cm long pieces, each with one eye
- Let the cut surfaces dry for some time
- Fill the pot with 3-4 cm high drainage
- Fill in organic substrate up to 4 cm below the edge of the container
- Place the root pieces 5-6 cm apart on the soil with the eye facing upwards and press lightly
- sieve thinly with substrate until the eyes can no longer be seen
- pour with a fine spray
In a bright to semi-shady location without direct sunlight, the root pieces sprout happily at temperatures from 20 degrees Celsius. As the image below illustrates, upright, green shoots and vertical root strands sprout from the eyes. For this purpose, horizontal planting is particularly relevant. A transparent hood made of glass or cling film is beneficial for shoots and root growth. A warm, humid microclimate is created that simulates the natural conditions of tropical growing areas. As soon as the growing leaves hit the cover, the hood has done its job and can be removed.
Properly care for ginger in the pot – instructions
After planting in the pot, care is limited to regular water supply. Thanks to sufficient supplies in the substrate, the need for nutrients is covered well into the summer. How to properly care for ginger as a container plant:
- Keep substrate constantly slightly moist
- spray once or twice a week with lime-free water
- After 6 to 8 weeks, move to a sunny location (south window, balcony or terrace)
- From June onwards, add liquid organic fertilizer to the irrigation water every 4 weeks according to the manufacturer's instructions
- prune retracted leaves down to the ground in autumn
Ginger can cope with short-term drought better than a waterlogged substrate. The current need for watering can be recognized by the fact that the soil is noticeably dry. If the pot or bucket is in a saucer, tip out any excess water after 10 minutes at the latest. Alternatively, fill the coaster with expanded clay balls on which to place the vessel. Accumulated water cannot rise again into the root ball. Furthermore, the local humidity increases, depending on the taste of your tropical ginger plant.
Excursus
Growing in the cold frame thanks to natural heating
Window sills are crowded in spring because numerous flowers, perennials and vegetable plants are now preferred. A cold frame provides a solution when there is a lack of space in the house and apartment to grow ginger for planting outdoors and in containers. The temperature required for sprouting and growth in the cold frame is created by natural heating. To do this, dig a 50 cm deep pit and mix one third of the excavated material with compost. Cover the bottom of the pit with vole wire, covered with a 5-10 cm thick layer of straw. This is followed by a 20 cm high layer of fresh stable manure and the compost-soil mixture. Within 8 to 10 days, the well-sealed cold frame will warm up so you can plant ginger.
Harvesting ginger roots – how & when does it work correctly?
Ginger takes a good eight months to grow
After an average of 250 days, a ginger tuber is ready for harvest. The beginning of the harvest season can be recognized by drawn-in, yellow or dried leaves. The optimal approach is copied from the professional growing areas in India and Africa. Ginger farmers only harvest part of the rhizome at a time. A piece of the tuber is overwintered and, after a period of rest, takes on the function of planting material for the new season. This is how you harvest ginger correctly in beds and pots:
- lift the tubers out of the ground in the bed with the digging fork
- Tilt the pot, bucket or balcony box and let the rhizomes roll onto the lawn or soil
- Grab tubers by the leaves to shake off soil or potting substrate
- cut leaves 3 to 4 cm above the rhizome skin with sharp secateurs
- cut juicy, promising rhizome pieces with a sharp knife
Overwinter remaining tuber segments that are not intended for consumption in a dry, frost-free and airy place in coconut fiber, sand or sawdust, similar to dahlias or flower bulbs.
Overwintering ginger root – this is how it works
Ginger is not hardy in Germany. If temperatures fall below 10 degrees Celsius in autumn, the tropical plant stops growing. The process can be recognized by yellowing leaves and dried leaf tips because the plant shifts remaining nutrients into its underground rhizome as an energy reserve for the next season. Retracted leaves are not only the signal for the beginning of the harvest season. If you are considering cultivating it for several years, you should put the exotic perennial away now. How to overwinter ginger properly:
- put away in good time before the first frost
- cut off curled leaves
- keep cool at 10 to 12 degrees Celsius
- water little by little or not at all
- do not fertilize
Do not cut off the leaves until they are completely dead. Until then, remaining nutrients are relocated from the foliage to the rhizome. The fresh shoots next spring benefit from this energy deposit. As long as the ginger plant still boasts its deep green reed leaves, we recommend a winter quarter that is as bright as possible and occasional watering or spraying. Without the foliage, the lighting conditions for a ginger root are unimportant, so a dark basement room is also an option for overwintering, as long as it doesn't get warmer than 10 to 12 degrees Celsius.
How does propagation work?
Selective harvesting and overwintering behind glass are equivalent to the propagation of ginger. By leaving a segment of the rhizome in the fall and storing it frost-free, you are setting the stage for another harvest next year. Alternatively, overwinter a complete, undamaged ginger bulb as a mother plant in a cool, dark cellar in a pot with coconut hum. In February, cut or break off pieces that have at least one bud. Plant the rhizome parts as described in these instructions.
Propagate ginger is incredibly easy
What properties characterize ginger?
Real ginger (Zingiber officinale) belongs to the ginger family. The plant thrives as a perennial with reed-like, deep green leaves that reach an average height of 100 cm. A decorative, candle-shaped flower with a pleasant scent rises in late summer in a sunny, warm location.
The above-ground parts of the plant, of course, play a secondary role in its worldwide importance as a medicinal and aromatic plant. The floral performer is the main shoot in the form of an underground, fleshy and richly branched rhizome. The juicy, yellowish tuber meat tastes burning hot to spicy and is rich in valuable ingredients with he alth-promoting properties. Even 2,800 years ago, the Chinese were singing the praises of the healing effects and the unique aroma.
The ginger plant is native to tropical and subtropical regions. The main growing areas are in India, China, Nigeria and Thailand. Even under the ideal conditions there, it takes eight months after planting until the rich roots are ready for harvest. Only after traveling halfway around the world do ginger bulbs appear on store shelves and have lost a large part of their positive properties. One more reason for hobby gardeners to take a closer look at growing their own.
Plant delicious types of ginger yourself
Before you devote yourself to growing ginger, please choose the planting material carefully. Real ginger (Zingiber officinale) is the ancestor of an astonishing variety of varieties. Depending on the growing region, the tubers give you a surprisingly mild taste bud, whereas other varieties are over the top in terms of spiciness. The following table gives an insight into the wide selection:
| Name | botanical name | Size/Space Requirement | Height | special features | priority use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ginger, real ginger | Zingiber officinale | 20 to 40 cm | 50 to 150 cm | burning-sharp, | Medicines and spices |
| Jamaica Ginger | Zingiber officinale | 25 to 40 cm | 100 to 150 cm | aromatic-lemony, mildly spicy, less healing power | Kitchen spice, food |
| Japanese Ginger | Zingiber Mioga | 20 to 25 cm | 80 to 100 cm | spicy-hot, orange peel aroma, edible flower buds | Kitchen spice, food |
| Nigerian Ginger | Zingiber officinale | 20 to 40 cm | 80 to 120 cm | hottest ginger | Medicinal herb for humans and animals (horses, dogs) |
| Thai Ginger | Alpinia galanga | 30 to 40 cm | 180 to 200 cm | sweet-spicy, no typical ginger aroma | Spice paste, healing tea, herbal medicine |
| Australian Ginger | Alpinia caerulea | 40 to 50 cm | 150 to 200 cm | mildest ginger | Herbal, spice and medicinal plant |
Healing and flavoring power are not the only arguments for planting ginger yourself. The multi-faceted ginger family also includes magnificent species and varieties that are primarily used as ornamental and fragrant plants. A prime example is red ginger (Alpinia purpurata) with spectacular red inflorescences and a height of 1 meter. Although Tibetan ginger (Hedychium densiflorum) does not have any spicy or healing powers, it does delight with furious, 20 cm long orange-red flowers in late summer.
Tip
The flagship among the best types of ginger for home cultivation is Jamaica ginger. When purchasing for cultivation and planting, please look for tubers that are as fresh as possible and have smooth, silvery-shimmering skin. The pivotal point for sprouting and rooting are thick, clearly visible, green eyes that signal the will to live of a ginger bulb.
Frequently asked questions
What healing effects can I expect from ginger?
Each ginger bulb is full of valuable, bioactive substances. Doctors attest that ginger has excellent healing properties, primarily against nausea and stomach and intestinal problems. The plant also relieves all kinds of cold symptoms as well as arthrosis, muscle and rheumatism pain. The great tuber is also said to stimulate the production of serotonin, which puts you in a good mood and is even said to drive away depression. Last but not least, ginger stimulates blood circulation and metabolism, which reduces the risk of heart attacks, strokes and thrombosis.
Do the flowers smell of ginger?
Immediately from the rhizome, a ginger plant sprouts tightly upright stems with candle-like inflorescences. The pure species shines with numerous reddish-purple-yellow flowers, whose stamens exude a pleasant, sweet scent.
Can ginger overwinter outside?
The distribution areas of ginger extend across tropical and subtropical regions. The miraculous tuber is therefore not prepared for frost. On the contrary, the above-ground parts of the plant shiver at temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius. Ginger is not equipped to overwinter outdoors.
Are blue ginger bulbs edible?
At first glance, blue ginger (Dichorisandra thyrsiflora) looks very similar to real ginger. The magnificent, cylindrical inflorescences open in late summer with numerous blue to purple individual flowers. The starting point for the strong stems are thickened, tuberous roots, which, however, are neither true rhizomes nor edible. In fact, blue ginger is one of the diurnal plants and is not related to real ginger.
At the end of September I received a large Japanese ginger in a pot as a gift. Unfortunately, the plant complains with yellow, dry leaves. Can the ginger still be saved?
All ginger plants grow in late autumn. Specifically, this means that the above-ground parts of the plant die. Only the thick rhizome overwinters in the ground. Cut off dead leaves and keep the Japanese ginger cool at around 10 degrees Celsius until February/March. Water sparingly and do not apply fertilizer. From April, change the location to a sunny window seat and resume the normal care program.
Tip
Exotic properties and highly effective ingredients make ginger a loner in the bed. Due to the extensive growth of the rhizomes and runners, the exotic super plant is not suitable for mixed cultivation. Similar to lovage, wormwood, turmeric or hyssop, ginger is unpopular as a plant neighbor in the garden and greenhouse.
