Yes, you can absolutely grow ginger from store bought ginger. Ginger is a tropical plant that is easy to grow at home, even from supermarket ginger that you use for cooking. The key is choosing a plump, fresh rhizome that still has growth buds, or “eyes”, on it. With some patience and the right care, those buds will sprout new ginger plants for you to enjoy.
What type of ginger can I grow?
Most ginger found in grocery stores is the common ginger Zingiber officinale. This is the type used for cooking, baking, and in beverages. It has a tan peel and yellowish flesh. This is the best type of ginger to use to grow your own ginger plant.
Other varieties like ornamental gingers may be treated with growth inhibitors to prevent sprouting. Eating gingers like galangal are less likely to grow well. So for the highest chance of success, select fresh conventional ginger root intended for culinary use.
Selecting a good ginger root
Picking the right ginger root makes all the difference when growing your own ginger plant. Choose a firm, plump rhizome that is free from mold, wrinkles, and blemishes. It should feel heavy for its size.
Ginger that is older has thicker skin that may prevent sprouting. The best rhizomes for planting have thinner skin with visible buds along the surface. Avoid ginger that looks shriveled or dried out.
The roots may be trimmed prior to purchase. But it’s best to select ginger with some visible “fingers” or growth buds, as these will sprout most readily. The more buds the better, on multiple sides of the rhizome.
Where to find ginger to plant
The produce section of your grocery store is the easiest place to find fresh conventional ginger. Pick a large, heavy rhizome for planting. Organic ginger is also a good option, though may have higher cost.
You might also find suitable ginger rhizomes at an Asian food market, natural foods store, or farmer’s market. Specialty varieties like Hawaiian yellow ginger may sometimes be found.
If you don’t have access to fresh ginger root, some gardeners have success ordering ginger online to grow. Opt for expedited shipping to get the freshest rhizomes possible.
Preparing and planting store bought ginger
Preparing your grocery store ginger root for planting is quick and easy. Select a rhizome with visible growth buds. The buds look like small brown or green “eyes” along the root’s surface.
Trim off any dried or shriveled section from the ends of the rhizome. But leave the growth buds intact.
You can soak the ginger overnight prior to planting. This helps provide moisture for the rhizome after spending time in dry grocery store conditions. But soaking is not required.
Fill a 6 to 8 inch pot about 2/3 full with rich, loose potting mix. Compost or worm castings can also be incorporated for nutrients. Then nestle the ginger rhizome into the soil, with growth buds facing up. Cover gently with 1-2 inches more potting mix.
Water well after planting and place the pot somewhere warm and bright. A spot near a sunny window is ideal. Keep the soil moist but not soggy for best results.
Growing conditions
Ginger needs warm temperatures between 70°F to 85°F to grow well. It enjoys humidity levels around 60% or greater. Grow your ginger in a warm spot inside your home near bright, indirect light for ideal conditions.
An unheated porch, sunroom, or greenhouse may also work during the warm seasons. Just bring the ginger plants inside before nighttime temperatures drop below 65°F.
If you live in USDA zones 8 to 11, you may be able to grow ginger outside year-round. Plant it in a sheltered, frost-free spot with filtered sunlight. Provide ample moisture and mulch around the roots for protection.
Potting and care
Ginger does best planted in a rich, well-draining potting mix amended with compost. Choose a pot at least 6 inches deep and wide, with drainage holes. Terra cotta, ceramic, or plastic planters all work well.
Water ginger regularly to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings. Good drainage and organic matter will help prevent rot issues.
Feed monthly during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer, or use slow release pellets at planting time. Remove any flower buds to focus the plant’s energy on rhizome growth.
Repot ginger yearly in early spring to refresh the soil. Move it to a slightly larger pot each time. Divide congested rhizomes by gently prying them apart and replanting in separate pots.
Propagating ginger
Ginger is easy to propagate! You can grow new plants from buds that form on the mother rhizome or “seed” ginger pieces.
To start new plants from rhizome buds, allow the buds to grow an inch or two long. Then use a clean, sharp knife to detach and pot up the new growth shoots as you would the original rhizome.
For seed ginger propagation, cut a plump rhizome into pieces 2-4 inches long, each with at least one good growth bud. Allow cut surfaces to dry for a day or two. Then plant the ginger pieces in seed starting mix.
Once sprouted and growing well, transplant the new seed ginger plants into individual containers with potting soil to continue growing. Feed and care for seedling ginger plants the same as mature plants.
Harvesting homegrown ginger
Patience is required when growing ginger. The plants need 6 to 10 months to fully develop harvestable rhizomes. But the wait is well worth it!
Test dig around the edge of the rhizome to check its size as maturity nears. When the ginger reaches 1 to 3 inches across early in the springtime, harvest time has come.
Carefully dig up the entire plant. Snap off the rhizomes from the stems, and brush any excess soil away. Store the cleaned ginger in an open bag in the crisper of your fridge.
The harvested ginger will keep fresh for several weeks to months. Peel and slice it as needed for cooking and beverages. You can also dehydrate slices to make ginger powder.
Tips for growing ginger successfully
Here are some useful tips to help ensure success growing ginger:
- Start with the freshest rhizome possible, preferably with visible buds
- Warm temperatures around 70°F to 80°F are ideal
- Plant in rich, well-draining potting mix
- Provide bright, filtered sunlight
- Water regularly but avoid soggy soil
- Use terra cotta pots for good moisture control
- Fertilize monthly during active growth
- Repot annually or as needed in spring
- Allow 6 to 10 months for rhizomes to fully develop
Troubleshooting issues
Growing ginger is relatively problem free, but occasionally issues can arise. Here are some common problems and solutions:
Rhizome fails to sprout
If your ginger fails to sprout altogether, it may have been old, dried out, or previously treated with growth inhibitors. Try again with the freshest possible ginger rhizome showing plump growth buds.
Leaf yellowing
Yellow leaves often indicate overwatering. Allow soil to dry further between waterings. Improve drainage by adding more perlite or gravel to soil. Fertilize to encourage new growth.
Leggy, weak growth
If plants are tall and floppy, they likely need more sunlight. Turn pot regularly to prevent stretching toward light. Prune leggy stems back to soil level to encourage bushier regrowth.
Slow growth
Cool temperatures, low light, and underfeeding can lead to slow growth. Increase sunlight, maintain indoor temps of 70°F to 85°F, and fertilize monthly. Be patient, as ginger grows slowly.
Moldy rhizomes
Prevent fungal rot by avoiding overwatering and providing good ventilation and air circulation. Allow soil to partially dry between waterings. Discard any mushy rhizomes immediately.
Pests like mealybugs
Isolate and remove heavily infested plants. For small infestations, wipe pests away with damp cloth or cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Insecticidal soap or neem oil can also help treat most ginger pests.
Frequently asked questions
Does the whole ginger rhizome need to be planted?
No, you can cut the ginger rhizome into smaller pieces of about 2 to 4 inches in size and plant those. Just be sure each piece has a visible growth bud.
Where is the best place to grow ginger indoors?
Ginger does best in a warm spot with indirect sunlight, like near a sunny south or west facing window. Growing ginger under lights also works well.
How soon after planting ginger will I see sprouts?
New sprouts should emerge from the planted ginger rhizome within 2 to 8 weeks. Be patient, keep the soil moist, and provide warm conditions to encourage the ginger to grow.
Can ginger be grown from a grocery store rhizome?
Absolutely! As long as the ginger you buy is fresh, it can be planted and grown into a new plant. Look for plump rhizomes with visible growth buds along the surface.
Should ginger be peeled before planting?
No, the peel helps protect the rhizome and is not necessary to remove before planting. Simply give the ginger a quick rinse if needed and plant it as-is.
Conclusion
Growing your own ginger is an easy and rewarding way to enjoy fresh ginger harvested right from your own plants. With the right care, even supermarket ginger can be coaxed into growing new plants and ornamental foliage in your home.
Select a fat, fresh ginger rhizome and pot it up in rich soil. Keep it warm, moderately moist, and in a bright spot. Once sprouted, fertilize and repot occasionally for best growth. In 6 to 10 months, you’ll be harvesting homegrown ginger rhizomes for all your culinary needs.
