Can You Grow Ginger Root?

Several plants can grow from one ginger root.

Ginger plants produce attractive foliage throughout the summer months. They grow from an underground root called a rhizome, which stores nutrients for the plant. The rhizomes also provide the edible root that's prized for its flavor and fragrance. The fresh roots available at the grocery store will sprout and grow into a plant if sown properly.

Climate Needs

Ginger grows outdoors in tropical and subtropical U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 through 12. The plant can't tolerate temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. It's possible to grow ginger plants in 1-gallon pots outdoors in the summer and overwinter them inside in an area protected from frost. Though ginger grows as a perennial, treating it like an annual and replanting it from fresh root each spring also allows you to grow ginger in colder climates. Ginger grows best in well-drained, rich soils in beds that receive partial to full shade.

Planting Method

Plump roots that haven't begun to shrivel or dry out grow into healthy plants when sown in spring after frost danger is past. Each root has several growing eyes, which resemble small knobby protrusions on the root surface. Cutting the root into 1-inch pieces that contain at least one eye provides enough pieces to sow several ginger plants from a single root. After cutting, the roots need to dry in a dry, well-ventilated room so the cut edges form callouses, which helps prevent root rot. Plant the roots approximately 1 inch deep with the eye facing upward, spacing the pieces 15 inches apart in all directions.

Irrigation and Fertilization

The plants require consistent moisture to grow healthy. Watering the bed once a week so the top 6 inches of soil remains moist provides enough moisture during the summer months. A layer of mulch applied over the soil surface further helps to retain soil moisture around the plants. Standing water or soggy soil results in root rot, so plants must not experience over watering. Ginger benefits from monthly fertilization from spring through late summer. A general-purpose, water soluble fertilizer provides enough nutrients for lush foliage growth and healthy rhizome production.

Harvest

The rhizomes reach maturity in fall after the foliage begins to die back naturally. Digging up only the outermost roots in perennial beds and pots leaves enough of the rhizome in place to grow back next year. In annual plantings, it's acceptable to dig up the entire root system for use as fresh ginger, since the rhizome won't survive the winter months. The rhizomes must dry in a well-ventilated area for two or three days, otherwise they may rot quickly in storage.

References

• Missouri Botanical Garden: Zingiber officinale
• University of Florida Extension; Ginger --- Zingiber officinale Roscoe; James M. Stephens; May 1994