How to Start Ginger Plants

Ginger, that oh-so-exotic flavor that enhances our favorite Asian foods, is also used in medicine. According to information from the University of Maryland, doctors frequently recommend ginger to treat the nausea associated with motion sickness, pregnancy and cancer chemotherapy. Ginger is the rhizome of the plant Zingiber officinale, and you can purchase pieces of it for planting right in the supermarket. Try to find one with at least two nodes, which look a little like the "eyes" on potatoes.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Large planting pot (at least four times the size of your rhizome) with holes in the bottom for drainage
• All-purpose potting soil
• Organic slow-release fertilizer (proportions according to package directions)
• Plastic bag large enough to fit over the pot

1. Fill the pot with a mixture of potting soil and the organic slow-release fertilizer.

2. Plant the ginger tuber about 1 inch into the soil and cover it. Water thoroughly.

3. Cover the pot with the plastic bag and place in a warm, sunny location. Make sure that the soil remains moist while germinating.

4. Remove the plastic bag at the first sign of growth but continue to keep the plant warm and give it lots of light. Mist with water every few days.

5. Plant outdoors when daytime temperatures are in the 70s in a shady area. Water regularly.

References

• University of Maryland Medical Center: Ginger
• Tropical Permaculture: Growing Ginger Root

Resources

• Bonsai Gardener: How to Grow Ginger