How to Grow Ginger and Turmeric in Pots
Two tropical rhizomes that grow beautifully in a warm, sheltered pot, even outside the tropics.
Ginger and turmeric are among the most satisfying things to grow in a pot. Both grow from rhizomes, both make lush tropical foliage, and a single pot returns a generous harvest of fresh rhizome. A pot lets you give them the warmth and shelter they want even in cooler regions.
Container and mix
Use a wide, shallow-to-medium pot, at least 30 cm across and 25 to 30 cm deep, as the rhizomes spread sideways. Good drainage is essential. Fill with a rich, free-draining mix high in compost, these are hungry plants that like fertile, moisture-retentive but not soggy soil.
Planting
Plant in spring as the weather warms. Use plump, fresh rhizomes with visible growth buds (the small knobs or eyes). Organic ginger and turmeric from a market or grocer usually sprout well, unlike some treated supermarket stock. Lay pieces just below the surface, buds facing up, and cover with 3 to 5 cm of mix.
Care through the season
Keep the mix consistently moist through the warm growing months, these are thirsty plants, but never waterlogged. Give them warmth and bright light with a little protection from harsh afternoon sun. Feed regularly with a balanced liquid feed. As the weather cools, the leaves yellow and die back, which is the signal that the rhizomes are maturing, so reduce watering then.
Harvest
You can steal small pieces of fresh ginger a few months in by scratching at the edge of the pot. For a full harvest, wait eight to ten months until the foliage has died back, then tip out the pot. Save a few healthy rhizome pieces to replant next spring.
Catch problems before they cost you a crop
Track every bed in the Planting Season app, log what is going wrong, and get region-specific reminders so the same problem does not bite twice.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
Can you grow ginger and turmeric in pots?
Yes, both grow well in wide pots, which is ideal because it lets you give these tropical rhizomes the warmth and shelter they need, even in cooler regions. Use a wide pot of rich, free-draining mix.
When do you plant ginger and turmeric?
In spring, as the weather warms. Both need warmth to sprout and a long growing season, so an early start in a warm, sheltered position gives the rhizomes time to develop before the foliage dies back in the cool.
Can I grow ginger from the supermarket?
Often yes, especially organic ginger and turmeric, which sprout readily. Choose plump fresh pieces with visible growth buds. Some treated supermarket stock is slower to shoot, so organic or market rhizomes are more reliable.
How long does ginger take to grow in a pot?
About eight to ten months for a full harvest, though you can take small pieces of fresh ginger a few months in. The crop is ready when the foliage yellows and dies back as the weather cools.
How big a pot do ginger and turmeric need?
At least 30 cm across and 25 to 30 cm deep, and wider is better because the rhizomes spread sideways. Good drainage is essential, as they rot in waterlogged soil despite liking steady moisture.
See also: How to Grow Ginger and How to Grow Turmeric