How to Grow Ginger

There are lots of different types of Ginger, including edible and ornamental Gingers grown predominantly for their flowers. There are also plants which go by the common name of Ginger but are not in the same plant family (Zingiber) as edible Ginger.  Although many ornamental Gingers are edible, it's important to know which Ginger you're growing and confirm that it's safe to eat. Buying named plants or rhizomes is the best way to be sure of the type of Ginger you're growing.  

Choose a sheltered garden bed in filtered light or bright shade with well-drained soil. Drainage is important as wet soil can lead to Ginger rotting. Ginger grows best in warm-temperate, sub-tropical, and tropical climates. In cooler climates, grow Ginger in a pot, which can be moved to a warmer, frost-free position during cold weather.

Improve the soil by mixing in some handfuls of Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. This helps to create soil that is rich in organic matter.  

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 (pieces of Ginger), or sometimes garden centres will have small potted Ginger plants for sale. To grow Ginger from a rhizome (it's best to use organic ginger), cut the rhizome into 3 cm long pieces, ensuring the piece has several 'eyes' (buds) where shoots will develop. Leave to cure (dry out) for a few days, then plant rhizomes 5-10 cm deep. For multiple pieces, plant 20 cm apart. 

Water well and check regularly to make sure the soil is consistently moist. Once shoots appear, protect them from Snails and Slugs with a light sprinkling of Yates Snail & Slug Bait.

Ginger needs lots of water, so it's important to keep the soil moist (but not wet). Applying an organic mulch over the soil surface, like bark chips or sugar cane, helps to retain moisture. To promote healthy plant growth and a great harvest, feed every 1–2 weeks with Yates Thrive All Purpose Soluble Plant Food.

Ginger is a herbaceous perennial in mild climates (the foliage dies back each year) and is ready to harvest when the leaves start to yellow or die in autumn. In tropical and sub-tropical areas, Ginger can be evergreen. Before harvesting reduce watering to allow the soil to dry out. Dig up the entire plant and separate the rhizomes. Some can be used to replant while the rest can be used for cooking.  

Choose a pot at least 300 mm wide and deep. A Yates Tuscan Pot is perfect for growing Ginger.  

Place the pot in a sheltered spot in bright or partial shade. Ginger grows best in tropical, sub-tropical and warm climates. In colder climates, place the pot in a warm, frost-free position. 

Fill the pot with a quality potting mix like Yates Premium Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.  

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 sometimes garden centres will have small potted Ginger plants for sale. To grow Ginger from a rhizome, cut the rhizome into 3 cm long pieces, ensuring the piece has several 'eyes' (buds) where shoots will develop. Leave the piece to cure (dry out) for a few days, then plant 5–10 cm deep in the potting mix. For multiple pieces, plant 20 cm apart. 

Water well and check regularly to make sure the soil is consistently moist. Once shoots appear, protect them from Snails and Slugs with a light sprinkling of Yates Snail & Slug Bait.  

Ginger needs lots of water, so it's important to keep the potting mix moist (but not wet). To help retain moisture, an organic mulch like bark chips or sugar cane can be applied over the pot. And to promote healthy plant growth and a great harvest, feed every 1– 2 weeks with Yates Thrive All Purpose Soluble Plant Food.   

Ginger is a herbaceous perennial in mild climates (the foliage dies back each year) and is ready to harvest when the leaves start to yellow or die in autumn. In tropical and sub-tropical areas, Ginger can be evergreen. Before harvesting reduce watering to allow the potting mix to dry out. The entire pot can be tipped out the rhizomes separated. Some can be used to replant while the rest can be used for cooking.  

Ginger is best harvested in early autumn once the leaves start to yellow and the rhizomes are sweeter, less fibrous and have a thinner skin. 

Ginger can also be harvested in winter. However, these rhizomes will be more fibrous and spicier with tougher skin.

Yes, in a very brightly lit room. Growing Ginger indoors is an option for people in cold climates.

Aphids are the biggest pest concern for Ginger.

Aphids are small sap-sucking insects that can cause Ginger foliage to yellow or distort. Aphids can be green, yellow, brown or black and often congregate on newly emerging leaves.

Aphids suck out plant juices, then excrete a clear sticky substance known as honeydew. Ants feed off the honeydew and in exchange help protect Aphids from predators. The black powdery substance on the leaves is a fungal disease known as Sooty Mould that feeds on leftover honeydew.

As soon as Aphids are noticed, spray plants thoroughly every 5-7 days with Yates Nature's Way Vegie & Herb Spray. It's important to spray all sides of the foliage and down in amongst the leaf bases, as the spray works via contact action.

Ginger's lush dense leaves can be a magnet for Snails and Slugs, which can chew long holes in the foliage. They are particularly common during damp or humid weather. 

Ginger's lush dense leaves can be a magnet for Snails and Slugs. They chew through leaves and are particularly common during damp or humid weather. To protect ginger from Snails and Slugs, lightly scatter Yates Snail & Slug Bait around the plants, including from when new leaves just emerge from the soil.

Ginger can be prone to diseases like Bacterial Wilt, Leaf Spots and Root Rot, which can affect the foliage or the rhizome. There is no home-garden spray to control these diseases. To help reduce the incidence of disease, plant ginger in well-drained soil (or grow ginger in pots) and only plant clean and healthy rhizomes.

Curling leaves can be a sign of sap-sucking pests such as Aphids; diseases such as Fusarium Wilt; too much light; or a watering issue.

When Ginger leaves die back from the tips, this can be a sign of a nutrient issue but is more likely to be a watering issue.

Gingers do best in consistently moist and well-drained soil.

Always plant Ginger in good soil so the plant can access and maintain soil moisture.

Signs of over-watering include leaves dying back from the tips, stems rotting off, and the presence of diseases such as rots, and Bacterial Wilt.

Signs of under-watering include wilting plants, pale leaves, shrivelled leaves, or sudden death.