My Ginger Will Not Bloom

About Spice Ginger

• The edible ginger spice plant has been grown for centuries for its rhizomes, not its leaves or flowers. Through cultivation, farmers selected plants that grew lush and produced larger, tastier rhizomes. Therefore, through years of selection, ginger spice plants become more leafy and big-rooted rather than bred for excellent flower production. While ginger spice plants can flower, modern plants aren't genetically suited for reliable or timely flowering. Moreover, the spice ginger's flowers aren't ornamentally showy, nor are they kept to yield seeds to start new plants. Propagation is more reliable through rhizome cuttings.

Growing Conditions

• For all other types, including shell gingers, spiral gingers, butterfly gingers and red gingers, proper growing conditions lead to abundant flowering in spring or summer. Very bright, indirect light or no more than four hours of direct sun each day is needed for flower initiation. A warm, moist, well-drained soil that's rich in organic matter allows the roots to create lots of leaves. In turn, leaves conduct photosynthesis to produce energy to fuel metabolism that leads to flower production on ginger stem tips. Temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit improve chances for flower production.

Insight

• Gingers may be grown outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 and warmer. Frost kills back plants to the ground, but they rejuvenate in spring once the soil again warms over 70 F. A long, warm, frost-free growing environment -- including proper light and soil conditions -- encourages flower production by the end of spring heading into early summer. Indoors, ginger plants leave their natural winter dormancy in March and grow rapidly in the warmer temperatures and more intense light. Houseplant gingers should be blooming by July at the latest.

Recommendations

• To increase chances of your ginger plant producing flowers, enrich the soil with compost or well-rotted manure in late winter and again in late spring. Once leafy shoots emerge from the soil, increase watering to maintain an evenly moist, but never soggy soil. Supplement waterings by adding a liquid fertilizer, such as a 10-15-10 or 10-30-10 "bloom boost" formula every two to four weeks from April to July. Warm soil and hot, humid air increase the growth rate and vitality of all ginger plants. Houseplant gingers will benefit from being relocated outdoors under the dappled bright shade of a tree to bask in the warm and fresh air, improving its chances to bloom by summer's end.