Ginger is a delicious and versatile spice that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. It’s also easy to grow, as long as you know the right planting technique.
In this blog post, I will show you how to plant and grow ginger in a pot so that it thrives all year round! The following steps will help you get started on your own ginger garden!
What country does ginger come from?
The history of ginger dates back to ancient China, where it was used as a medicinal herb. Ginger is actually part of the Zingiberaceae family and comes from tropical regions in Asia.
This herb got so famous that it can be found in almost all stores around the world during the winter months.
Some countries that grow ginger are Jamaica, Haiti, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Australia, but none of these countries can compare to India.
With nearly a million metric tons in yearly production, India is the largest producer of ginger in the world. Additionally, good to know is that China, which only produces half as much ginger, is the largest ginger supplier in the world.
Ginger was also known to be one of Cleopatra’s beauty secrets. She claimed that it gave her beautiful skin while strengthening her nails and hair.
Which USDA hardiness zones can ginger grow in?
Ginger plants grow well in USDA hardiness zones nine, ten, and twelve.
This means that ginger can thrive in places like Florida, Texas, or even Southern California but not in places like Alaska, Montana, or New York.
If you are not sure about which USDA hardiness zone you are living in or you are just not from the USA there are two easy rules for growing ginger in a pot:
Even if ginger is thought of as a hardy plant, temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit are deadly to your plant, just like receiving less than 3 direct sunlight hours each day.
If you don’t cross the border of these rules your ginger will not be the strongest but it should it will not die from temperature or lack of light.
Can you grow ginger outside in the winter?
The answer to this question really depends on the place you’re living at and if you are planning to leave your ginger plant only outside over the day or also at night.
If you are living in a place where the temperature goes below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, it is best to bring your ginger plant inside during the cold winter months and replant it outside come springtime.
Of course, you don’t need to transplant your plant into the ground, you can just leave it in the pot if you wish.
If your ginger plant is just starting to grow, it will be perfectly fine to keep in its pot over the winter months and put out again come springtime. If however, your plant has grown quite a bit bigger you might want to transplant it into a bigger pot for the longer life expectancy of the root system.
Ginger is very easy to grow, but it can be quite fickle in terms of temperature. Ginger loves the warmth and will die if exposed to frost or freezing temperatures for too long.
How to plant ginger in a pot?
Pick a good spot
Ginger is a tropical plant, so it needs warm temperatures to thrive. Ginger can’t tolerate frost or very high heat, either.
If you’re growing ginger in your garden where the temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, bring it inside and grow it as a houseplant during the winter months.
When choosing a spot for your ginger plant, remember that it loves to have as much sun as possible. Optimal is between 3-5 hours of sunlight per day.
It’s also worth noting that ginger thrives in humid conditions and should be safeguarded from strong winds.
Soil selection
Soil preparation is crucial for the successful growth of your plants, especially if you’re growing from seeds.
Ginger plants prefer rich, loamy soil with good drainage. It’s best to use potting soil, rather than garden soil or topsoil, as these can be too compacted for ginger plants and they don’t drain well either.
Most potting mixes contain all the essential nutrients that ginger needs in order to grow healthy and strong.
In order to prevent the rhizomes from becoming waterlogged, loamy soil is needed. This type of dirt allows for free drainage so that your plant’s roots won’t get sick when it rains or if you get any other kind of watering!
Planting
There are two different stages you can start a ginger plant from. I gathered information about both of them for you.
Growing ginger from root
Ginger roots can be harvested from grocery stores, markets, or even neighbor’s gardens! I’ve done it myself and the plant grew like crazy after that! If you’re growing ginger from a store-bought root, it’s important to buy organic ginger roots.
Inspect your purchase of rhizomes for any signs of chemical treatment like weed killer. If necessary, remove any unwanted growth retardants and soak them in water overnight to get rid of any chemicals.
Choose your ginger root carefully. The more fingers, the better! A piece of about four to six inches in length with fully grown eyes or growth buds will ensure an ideal harvest.
Make sure the plants are planted 6 to 8 inches apart and about 2 to 4 inches deep into the pot with the growth buds facing up.
Growing ginger from seed
For those of you who are more adventurous, growing plants from seeds is an exciting way to go!
To do so, you must first find a reputable source to purchase the seeds from. It’s best to go with organic ginger seeds because they’re the healthiest and most likely to thrive.
Seeds should be planted about one to two inches deep into a well-drained potting mix. Optimal growth occurs in humid climates, but they should not be kept moist at all times because this could kill your plant or cause rot.
If you grow the plants in a pot, you can plant them at any time of year, but spring or fall are the best times. Make sure they get plenty of warmth and sunlight per day. If you’re planting your seeds in the fall, it’s best to grow under fluorescent lights.
Chosing a fertilizer
When it comes to fertilizing, ginger plants need low nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrogen increases leaf size which reduces the rhizome yield.
As soon as your plants start to flower, switch your fertilizer type for a high phosphorus one. This will encourage the formation of roots and shoots that are necessary for harvesting ginger.
Interesting Fact: Composted tea is a wonderful fertilizer for plant growth!
If you prepared good and rich soil, fertilizing isn’t necessary.
Watering
Watering is crucial to the growth and productivity of your ginger plant.
When watering, make sure you use room temperature water because cold or hot water could shock them and cause leaves to drop off!
Soak your plants well until all their roots are wet but don’t allow any standing water in its tray for this will drown it! If you’re growing in a pot, make sure to water your plant thoroughly every other day or once a week.
A good rule of thumb is to water your plants when the top of the soil is dry.
If you live in an area with high humidity and rainfall, it’s best not to use any kind of irrigation system at all because the ginger plants will grow too fast! This makes harvesting harder as well.
How to maintain ginger in a pot?
The basic rules on caring for ginger are:
- Ginger plants prefer warm temperatures
- Ginger plants like humid climate
- Only feed ginger plants with organic fertilizer
- Ginger plants should be watered regularly, but avoid sogginess
Instead of using a traditional plastic pot, ceramic pots are more ideal for growing ginger plants.
Don’t forget that ginger plants get pretty big so make sure your pot is large enough to support its growth!
If you’re growing ginger from a seed, it’s important not to overwater your plant which could kill it!
In order to prevent root rot, make sure there is good drainage. If you’re growing in a pot, you can add gravel or river stones at the bottom for extra drainage.
Make sure you fertilize every six to eight weeks with a fertilizer that is low on nitrogen and as organic as possible. If you’re growing in a pot, add compost to your soil every other week.
If you’re growing ginger from seed, leave the plant undisturbed for its first weeks so it can get strong roots and shoots! It’s okay to harvest small pieces after it flowers but remember not to disturb the rest of your plant because this could cause damage!
How to harvest ginger?
Standing at knee height, ginger plants are easy to spot with their heavy leaves and bright flower.
To get a good yield from our friend ginger it’s important you wait until it reaches maturity which means 8 – 10 months. Waiting this long will give the plant plenty of time in order to produce new shoots again after being dug up the whole.
When you begin digging up ginger make sure to keep the soil on the plant since it will protect them from drying out. Once harvested, place these plants in a shaded area or under some form of covering for two weeks while they recover from being dug up.
Though you don’t need to wait this long to harvest your ginger plant, as it can also be harvested young, we recommend waiting at least 8 months for a better yield and taste.
Before harvesting your ginger plant it’s vital you check on its appearance and readiness for harvest by plucking one of its leaves off near the base with a gentle twist. If that leaf comes out easily then it means this plant is ready to be harvested.
If the leaves of your plant become yellow, this is also an indication that it’s time to harvest.
You can harvest your ginger when the shoots are about three to four inches high and snip them off with a sharp pair of scissors just above ground level.
A great way of preserving your harvested plants for later use, you can dry them out and grind the roots into a powder that is perfect for cooking with or using in tea form.
You could also choose to freeze it by peeling away its skin first then placing each piece in a plastic bag.
Health benefits of ginger
This powerful root is packed with health benefits such as:
- Reduce inflammation in the body
- Helping with arthritis pain
- Relieve muscle aches and pains from workouts or sports injuries
- Calm an upset stomach
- May minimize your risk of developing heart disease
- Immune system boost
- Relieve of nasal congestion
Ginger is also a powerful antihistamine, reducing allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, or red eyes.
Ginger is often used to treat common colds and gastrointestinal issues. It can also help to relieve nausea, especially when caused by morning sickness during pregnancy.
Ginger has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. It is known for helping your body fight off bacterial infections including the common cold!
There are many ways of using ginger in everyday life!
You can either grate it into soups or add it to your favorite tea. The root’s intense flavor makes a great addition to fresh juice recipes as well.
Final thoughts
Ginger is a very versatile, easy to grow, and delicious plant, and caring for ginger plants in your home or garden is easy when done right!
The ginger plant is actually part of the Zingiberaceae family and can be found in tropical areas around Asia. India has been credited for being one of the world’s largest producers, but other countries are catching up fast in this industry that grows into a multi-billion dollar export business.
If you have a ginger plant, be sure to keep it in the appropriate hardiness zone. It is important for your plant to receive at least 3 hours of direct sunlight each day and to not go below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Your ginger will live longer if you take care of it!
Your ginger plant is ready to be harvested when its leaves turn yellow and the shoots are about three to four inches high.
All you need to do is pluck one of the plant’s leaves off near the base with a gentle twist. If that leaf comes out easily then it means this plant is ready for harvest, if not just wait until it does before harvesting more of your crop!
I hope we were able to help you learn more about this wonderful root that can be used as both medicine and cooking ingredients.
