Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the windowsill, or anywhere else, ginger is a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing ginger.
Jump to:
Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Does Ginger Belong To?
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, also known as the ginger family.
Some of its relatives include turmeric and cardamom.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Ginger?
The minimum container depth recommended for ginger is 8 inches.
The container should also be wide enough to accommodate the eventual 1-to-2-foot spread of the rhizomes underground. This growth occurs slowly and at a 3:1 ratio. So it is possible to pot up as the plant grows.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Ginger?
Some of ginger's best companions are as follows:
- Turmeric
- Peppers like bell pepper and poblano
- Cilantro
- Lemongrass
- Nasturtium
- Basil
- Mints like spearmint and peppermint
- Ferns
- Peas
- Beans such as green beans
- Apple
- Cherry
- Peach
- Pear
- Plum
- Banana
- Apricot
- Lime
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Ginger?
Ginger is not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with ginger are as follows:
- Fennel
- Black Walnut
What Soil Conditions Does Ginger Need?
Ginger prefers moist, well-draining, fertile soil.
How Long Does Ginger Take to Germinate?
Ginger takes 4-6 weeks to germinate at a temperature of 70-80°F.
How Much Sun Does Ginger Need?
Ginger can grow in full sun to part shade.
In other words, it grows fastest in full sun. It will still grow in dappled shade or part shade, just at a slower rate.
Sun recommendations can vary by region, and ginger grown in hot areas or in warmer conditions than the ideal temperature range noted below may need more shade.
How Much Water Does Ginger Need?
Ginger needs 1 inch of water per week. Ideally, this should be divided into at least 2 deep watering sessions per week.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Ginger?
Ginger grows fastest in temperatures of 60-100°F.
This is its ideal temperature range. Although it will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety. Some types of ginger are bred for longer harvests and others for extra hot climates.
Ginger is hardy to about 50°F. Learn what this means and what can happen below the hardiness temperature here.
How Tall Does Ginger Get?
The average height of ginger is 2-4 feet.
The roots (tubers) of the plant spread out to a width of about 1-2 feet underground.
Is Ginger Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Ginger is a perennial herb, meaning that it lives for longer than a couple years, in climates where temperatures do not drop below 50°F.
In other regions, it can be overwintered inside or grown as an annual, meaning that its growth cycle begins and ends in the same year.
How Does Ginger Reproduce?
Ginger reproduces by rhizome. As noted in the next section, it grows at a rate of 3:1 from existing root pieces.
Ginger can also reproduce by seed, and its germination requirements can be found in the Germination section above. But this is much less common than reproduction by rhizome.
How Much Ginger is Produced Per Plant?
For ginger, how much is produced per plant (also called the yield) largely depends on the type and variety.
Most ginger plants produce a 3:1 ratio of new growth to tubers planted. In other words, if you plant a 1 inch by 1 inch piece of ginger root, you should end up with a tuber that is 3 inches by 3 inches.
Ginger plants that are allowed to become perennials will keep expanding by about this same amount each year.
Can Ginger Be Ingested?
Ginger roots (tubers), leaves, and stalks are edible.
Ginger roots have anti-inflammatory and carminative properties and can be used in herbal preparations. The most common preparations are tea and syrups. An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:2 at 60% alcohol is suggested for a fresh (not dried) ginger root tincture. An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:5 at 60% alcohol is suggested for a dried ginger root tincture.
There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting ginger roots, stalks, or leaves for the general public. However, they may interact with some circulatory and diabetic medications. Check with your doctor for specifics. See our Using Herbs article here for more information on how to use herbs wisely.
See this article for more information about ingestibility in general. See the simple uses article linked below for examples of ways to prepare this specific plant.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of ginger rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for ginger here!
Ginger is featured in these Plant to Plate articles: