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Ginger is also a great plant to grow if you are interested in natural medicine and plants that promote good health. It is widely used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine and is rich in volatile oils, gingerols and (when dried) shogaols.
One well known use for ginger is in the control of nausea. But ginger can also be beneficial in pain relief, stimulating the circulation, treating coughs and colds, and in a number of other arenas. It is used both internally and topically.
If you are growing ginger in a temperate climate, it can be grown in a container and so can take up little space. So it is easy to find space for some on a sunny windowsill or another small, warm and light location.
If you are growing ginger in the ground, either in an undercover growing area or outside in a tropical or subtropical garden, ginger can also work well in tropical or sub-tropical polycultures. Ideas on plants to grow alongside ginger in such a garden can be found in the ‘planting your ginger’ section below.
Sourcing Ginger For Planting
Ginger can be sourced online or perhaps from a plant nursery nearby.
If you are having trouble sourcing ginger rhizomes to plant, however, you could consider planting ginger that you have bought in the shops.
It is important to note that some ginger will have been treated to prevent shoots from forming. So you may not always have success with this method. (Soaking the root in water for 24 hours may help by washing away any growth retardant that has been used.)
If the ginger root you have bought develops green growth, however, it is definitely worthwhile giving it a go. Note: the larger the rhizome the faster the ginger will be produced.
Look for a rhizome (root section) with small nodules similar to the chits that appear on potatoes. It is from these small growth buds that your ginger plant will grow.
Choosing Where To Grow Ginger
Before you plant your ginger, of course, you will have to decide where to grow it. In large part, the best location will depend on your climate zone, and the conditions where you live.
Naturally a plant found in moist to wet tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,900m, ginger is best grown where daytime temperatures can be maintained at between 65 and 85 degrees F. However, it can cope with temperatures between 55 and 95 degrees F. Try to grow ginger at temperatures lower than this, though, and dormancy can be induced.
The ideal annual rainfall range for ginger plants is between 1,400 and 3,000 mm, though it can cope with rainfall between 400 mm and 4,000mm. If you are growing your ginger inside or under cover, obviously you will have to ensure through your own watering efforts that the right amount of water is delivered.
Ginger grows best in a well-drained, humus-rich, neutral to alkaline soil. Ideally, the pH of the soil or growing medium should be between 6-7. It should be planted in a position with full sun in cooler more northerly climes, though it can tolerate partial shade, and may prefer a partially shaded spot in hotter regions.
Planting Ginger
A good time to begin planting ginger in temperate climates is the end of winter. However, if you intend to keep your ginger indoors all year round then you can give this process a go any any time.
Simply choose a suitable growing medium (moist and humus-rich yet free-draining) and plant your ginger into this mix. It may be beneficial to allow the budding root sections to dry out before planting, to heal their wounds.
Plant root sections with green growth buds just protruding above the surface of the soil. You can plant into a seed tray and pot up when it begins to grow, or simply plant the ginger into the container you intend to keep it in.
Bottom heat may be beneficial and so you could consider placing your tray or container on a heat mat or in a heated propagator. However, providing it is warm enough, the ginger will usually take on a sunny windowsill.
When choosing containers for ginger, remember that this is a crop that you are growing primarily for the root. Tall, narrow pots are best as these will allow the fat roots to grow and delve deep as the buds start to grow.
Planting Ginger in a Warmer Climate
If you are in a warmer, subtropical or tropical climate, you can simply place your rhizomes into the soil where they are to grow. Ginger can be an excellent choice for inclusion in a forest garden scheme, tree circle, or other tropical polyculture.
In a subtropical or tropical forest garden, or a fruit or nut tree circle, ginger can thrive in the dappled shade beneath your trees. If you are using the permaculture concept of a tree circle (such as a banana circle, for example) ginger and taro can be excellent plant choices for the inner, wetter edge of the ring mound on which the trees are planted.
Related turmeric, cardamom and galangal can all be good companions for your ginger plants. Ginger will thrive amid natural, native companions in moist, tropical settings. Natural companions include hibiscus, teak, palms, and orchids.
Caring For Your Ginger
Ginger plants require relatively high humidity. (Bear in mind that these plants naturally grow in a tropical rainforest.) This can be one of the major challenges when growing ginger indoors in a temperate climate.
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