Care Guide | Ginger

Gingers, from the Zingiberaecae family, are important ornamental, culinary, perfumery, and medicinal plants. Grow an edible variety for its aromatic, spicy rhizomes to amp up the flavor and nutrition of your culinary creations. If beautiful, fragrant blooms and lush foliage are more your cup of tea, try an ornamental variety. There are so many cool types out there, including these highlights: Get soft, silky, and beautifully-scented hair directly from the source: Awapuhi Shampoo ginger (Zingiber zerumbet) by squeezing the "shampoo" right out of the plant's flower cone with your own hands. Illuminate your garden with brushes of hot pink, red, and gold blooms (Alpinia and Burbidgea spp.) And help keep your insulin levels stable with the medicinal Painted Spiral ginger (Costus pictus). 

Characteristics

Ginger plants are tropical, herbaceous perennials that thrive in USDA zones 7–11 (depending on the variety) and can be grown as annuals or container plants in cooler climates. They prefer warm temperatures, mostly shade, and well-drained soil. Water when the top inch of soil dries out. Ginger grows from rhizomes underground and produces tall, narrow leaves above ground. The roots take about 10 months to mature. Flowering gingers take less time. You can grow them indoors or plant them in spring after all chance of frost has passed. 

Popular Varieties

Care Overview

🏷️ Scientific Name: Zingiber spp. and related species
📊 Classification: Tropical herbaceous perennial
📍 Origin: Southeast Asia
🗺️ USDA Hardiness Zones: Mostly 8–11 
📏 Height Potential: Varies by type from 2-10 feet
🏡 Planting: Outdoors or indoors 
☀️ Light: Part shade
💧 Soil/Watering: Well-drained, consistently moist soil
🍴 Fertilizer: 1-1-1 during active growth
✂️ Pruning: Minimal
❄️ Cold Weather Care: Protect from frost; foliage dies back in cool temperatures
🍎 Harvesting: Rhizomes ready 8–10 months after planting
🕷️ Common Pests: Aphids, spider mites, mealybugs
🐈 Safe for Pets?: Yes

Scientific Name

Ginger belongs to the Zingiberaceae family and is most commonly represented by Zingiber spp. though many ornamental and culinary species exist within the genus. Other common genuses are Alpinia, Burbidgea, and Curcuma. 

Classification

Ginger plants are tropical herbaceous perennials that grow from rhizomes rather than woody stems. They produce upright leafy shoots and, under ideal conditions, cone-shaped or orchid-like flowers. Many ornamental gingers are grown for foliage and blooms, while culinary ginger is prized for its flavorful rhizomes and health benefits.

USDA Hardiness Zones

Most Gingers grow best in USDA Zones 8–11 but it depends on the specific variety. See the chart above for an overview of the most common types and their zones. In cooler regions, ginger can be grown successfully in containers and brought indoors during cold weather. While the rhizomes can survive brief cool periods, prolonged exposure to frost will damage or kill the plant. Note that many varieties die completely back and look like an empty pot of soil until springtime warmth and extended periods of light bring forth new foliage from the underground rhizomes.

On each product page, we list each plant’s USDA hardiness zone. The U.S. Department of Agriculture created the hardiness map to help gardeners identify the areas in which plants tend to grow well based on past average temperatures. On the USDA's site, you can enter your zip code to identify your hardiness zone. If you live outside the zone, you can still grow this plant by providing winter protection.

Height Potential

Most ginger plants grow between 2 and 6 feet tall, forming dense clumps. Growth habit and size vary by species, with ornamental varieties often growing taller than culinary types.

Planting

Plant ginger in well-drained soil rich in organic matter, in a location that receives partial shade. Space plants 12–18 inches apart. When growing in containers, choose wide, shallow pots to allow rhizomes to spread. Regular watering and warm temperatures encourage vigorous growth.

Light 

Ginger grows best in part shade. Aim for 2-4 hours of dappled light daily. Indoor ginger plants require bright, indirect light or supplemental grow lights and should be placed near a sunny window, ideally south or east-facing.

Soil/Watering

Well-draining soil is essential for ginger plants, Ginger does not tolerate soggy roots, which can lead to rhizome rot. Water regularly during active growth, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top inch of soil to dry slightly between waterings. Reduce watering during cooler months or dormancy. While ginger prefers steady moisture, overwatering can stunt growth and cause disease.

Fertilizer

Ginger benefits from regular feeding during the growing season. Fertilize every 4–6 weeks with a balanced fertilizer to support leafy growth and rhizome development. Once temperatures cool and growth slows, stop fertilizing until active growth resumes in spring.

All fertilizers contain three primary nutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). Ginger responds well to a balanced fertilizer such as 20-20-20, along with micronutrients for optimal health.

Pruning

Minimal pruning is required to keep ginger growing well. Remove yellowing or damaged leaves to keep the plant tidy and improve airflow. After the foliage dies back at the end of the growing season, cut stems to soil level. 

Cold Weather Care

Ginger is sensitive to cold and frost. In cooler climates, foliage will die back when temperatures drop, but rhizomes can survive if protected. Mulch heavily or grow ginger in containers so it can be moved indoors during cold weather. Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can damage or kill the plant.

Learn more in our Overwintering Guide.

Harvesting

Ginger is typically ready to harvest 8–10 months after planting. Young ginger can be harvested earlier for a milder flavor, while mature ginger develops a stronger taste. Gently dig around the plant and remove sections of the rhizome, allowing the rest to continue growing.

Common Pests

Common pests include aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. Treat infestations with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Keeping plants healthy, well-spaced, and properly watered helps prevent pest problems.

Safe for Pets?

Ginger plants are non-toxic and safe for pets.

After Arrival Care

Please give your plant a little TLC after its journey through the mail 📬. Here are a few steps we recommend:

• Unwrap immediately to provide fresh air to the plant and soil.
• Wait a few days before exposing to full sunlight so your plant can adjust after being in a dark box for several days.
• Always protect from heat and cold because temperature extremes can be stressful or deadly for plants.
• Water. Your baby plant may be parched and even a little wilted but thorough hydration will help it recover.
• Grow out in a larger pot to increase your chances of success—i.e., a quarter gallon—Then transplant to the ground or the next pot size up once the roots fill to the bottom. This will help the plant get sufficient water and nutrients directly to the roots.

Learn more in our After Arrival Care Guide. 

Repotting

We highly recommend growing your baby plant out in a larger pot 🪴 to increase your chances of success 🏆. Repotting helps focus the water and nutrients directly towards the roots. If the pot is too large or if your baby is planted in the ground, the water and nutrients have more room to spread to the wrong places where they aren’t needed. This can be extra detrimental to a baby plant that needs all the support it can get as it’s growing up.

You don’t have to repot immediately, but the sooner you do, the more room it has to grow. 

Here are some general repotting tips:

• Start with a pot that's 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the starter-sized pot it came in. A pint or quart would be great.
• Transplant to the next pot size up once the roots fill to the bottom.

Learn more in our Repotting Guide. 

Grow Your Own Ginger

Start or continue growing your Ginger collection with Wellspring Gardens. Happy planting! 🪴