How to Plant Ginger Rhizomes

Ginger is a tuberous plant grown from rhizomes.

Ginger is a pungent ingredient in many recipes from stir fry to cookies as well as being the primary flavor for the soda drink called ginger ale. The flavoring comes from the root of the ginger plant which is available in most grocery stores and ethnic food stores. Since the ginger root is a bulb, it grows additional sprouts from its main root system, called rhizomes. You can plant these rhizomes at home to grow your own ginger plant.

Things You'll Need

• Toothpicks
• Ginger rhizome
• Glass
• Water
• Plant pot
• Potting soil

Instructions

1. Purchase a ginger rhizome from a garden center, nursery or online plant supplier.

2. Insert a toothpick into each side of the ginger rhizome so that 1/3 of the rhizome is below the toothpicks.

3. Hang the ginger rhizome onto a narrow drinking glass so that the ends of the toothpicks rest on the rim of the glass.

4. Fill the glass with plain tap water until the water level almost reaches the toothpick. Approximately 1/3 of the rhizome should be submerged in the water.

5. Place the glass in an out-of-the-way location and allow it to sit until the ginger rhizome produces roots. Refill the water in the glass periodically as it evaporates.

6. Wait until the roots reach approximately one inch long and plant it in a pot that is three to four times larger than the size of the ginger. Fill a plant pot 3/4 full of an all-purpose potting soil and dig a hole in the center. Remove the toothpicks from the ginger rhizome and insert it into the soil. Cover the ginger with one inch of soil.

7. Water the pot until the soil is moist and place it in a sunny location. Grow it outdoors during warm weather or indoors near a window, until the ginger produces sprouts.

Tips & Warnings

• The ginger roots can be harvested three to four months after the first sprouts appear.

• Ginger rhizomes will also grow if planted directly into the ground, but they will take longer to sprout. Starting them in water first and then planting them outdoors results in quicker growth.

References

• Gardening Guides: It's a Snap to Grow --- Ginger!