How to Grow a Tropical Ginger Plant

Grow plant from a ginger root of your own cutting, or if purchased when fresh, from the supermarket. Make sure the root has a whitish pyramidal bud and soak the root in warm water the night before planting.

Choose a location, somewhat shaded and out of direct sunlight. Ginger does best in temperatures above 75 degrees F and never under 50 degrees F. The plant can reach a height of up to 4 feet and 12 inches in diameter.

Start indoors by planting near the surface, in a pot with good drainage, a rich potting soil mixture and peat moss or organic compost around the root. Place in indirect sunlight and cover with a plastic bag. Water regularly but do not saturate the soil.

Move the plant to the garden when shoots first appear by removing the plastic bag and planting in a shaded area with indirect sunlight. The best time is early spring when all danger of frost is past and that the temperature will remain above 75 degrees F. The first 6 inches of soil should be well mixed with organic compost or peat moss.

Water and mist the ginger plant daily without saturating the soil.

Harvest the root by unearthing the whole plant and reaching directly into the soil to cut off what root is desired. It can require up to ten months for the root to mature for harvest.

Dry the root indoors or in sunlight. Keep fresh or frozen in the refrigerator or freezer. Use in a favorite recipe or for medicinal purposes by measuring 1 tsp. of crushed ginger powder as an individual serving.