Ever wanted to grow ginger at home?
It’s easier than you think!
With just a pot and a few tips, you can have fresh ginger year-round. Discover 7 simple tactics to get started.
Ready to grow your own ginger?
Let’s go!
Choosing the Right Ginger
When you’re picking ginger to grow in a pot, you need to start with fresh, plump ginger rhizomes. Look for pieces with lots of “eyes” or buds, as these will sprout new growth.
It’s best to get organic ginger from a garden center or a trusted source, just to avoid any growth inhibitors that can be present in grocery store ginger.
Preparing the Pot
Ginger needs a lot of room to grow, so choose a wide, shallow pot. Make sure it has good drainage because ginger doesn’t like soggy roots.
You can add some pebbles at the bottom before adding the soil to help with this. A pot that’s at least 12 inches deep and equally wide is a great starting point.
Picking the Right Soil
Ginger loves loose, rich soil. Go for a potting mix that’s organic and well-draining.
You can make your own by mixing equal parts of potting soil, compost, and sand. This mix will help your ginger get the nutrients it needs without getting waterlogged.
Planting the Ginger
Break your ginger rhizome into pieces, making sure each piece has at least one bud. Plant the pieces about 2-4 inches deep with the buds facing up.
Space them a few inches apart to give them room to grow. After planting, water the soil well but make sure it’s not too drenched.
Watering and Feeding
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soaking wet. Ginger likes humidity, so you might want to mist it occasionally.
Feed your ginger plant with a balanced fertilizer every few weeks, especially during the growing season. Liquid seaweed or fish emulsion works wonders!
Providing the Right Light
Ginger needs a warm spot with filtered sunlight. It’s a tropical plant, so it thrives in a bit of humidity too.
A spot with morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal. If you’re growing it indoors, a sunny windowsill should do the trick.
Harvesting Your Ginger
You can start harvesting small pieces of ginger in about 4-6 months. Just dig around the edges of the pot to remove sections as needed.
If you want bigger, mature pieces, you should wait about 8-10 months. Harvesting is easy; you just dig up the rhizomes, break off what you need, and replant some pieces for the next round!