Care of Ginger Plants

Overview

Ginger is a popular herb used in aromatherapy, medicine and cooking, and has a pungent flavor and smell. It is a perennial herb that first originated in India, then was introduced to the West more than 2,000 years ago. When growing your own ginger indoors or in a garden, it only requires basic materials and a little bit of time. There are some important things to keep in mind when growing ginger, such as how to start it and when to harvest.

Step 1

Visit the local farmers market or grocery store and look for fresh ginger roots in the produce section that have new buds growing out of the sides.

Step 2

Plant the root in a small pot about 1-1/2 times its own size. Sprinkle a good quality potting soil over the entire root until it's barely covered, then cover it with a plastic bag. Place the ginger root in a sunny area.

Step 3

Water the ginger root in very small amounts. If soil is more then damp the root will rot.

Step 4

Remove the plastic bag when the ginger starts to sprout. Place it in a planter pot that is at least two times the size of the ginger root and keep it in a location that has bright, indirect sun. Water it once a week to keep the soil damp.

Step 5

Fertilize during the growing season once a month, following the manufacturer's dosage instructions.

Step 6

Harvest ginger once the stems reach 2 to 5 feet tall. Healthy plants will have glossy, dark green leaves that grow more than 1 foot long. Dig up the tuber when the soil is dry and store it in a cool dry place.