How to grow Galangal in Australia
Grow galangal in part shade in rich, moist, free-draining soil, planting pieces of rhizome in warm ground. Keep it well watered and mulched through the warm growing season and feed now and then.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Part shade
- Water: 6 litres a week, watered every 3 days
- Spacing: 60 cm
- Time to harvest: 300 days
- Time to germinate: 21 days
- Soil pH: 5.5 to 7
- Frost tolerance: Frost tender
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to February | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to February | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | October and November | Marginal tropical; requires warm sheltered position; unreliable fruiting. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | Not suited | Tropical rhizome; Melbourne winter kills it. Unsuitable year-round. |
| Adelaide & SA | Not suited | Not viable in Adelaide. Needs 10 or more months of subtropical warmth and humidity. |
| Perth & WA | September and October | Plant Sep to Oct. Galangal needs the warm months to establish and sits dormant through the cool wet winter. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. Tropical rhizome killed by cold soil. Not viable in Tasmania. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Galangal unsuitable for Canberra: tropical rhizome; frost-intolerant. Use other herbs adapted to cold climate. |
| North Queensland | September to February | Wet season Sep to Feb. Galangal is tropical ginger staple; thrives in heat and humidity. |
| Darwin & Top End | September to February | Wet season Sep to Feb. Galangal is tropical ginger staple; thrives in heat and humidity. |
Companion planting
Good companions
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Lift rhizomes once the clump is established and the plant is large, digging from the edge. Take what you need and replant a piece so it keeps spreading.
Storage
Fridge in a bag for 2 weeks, or freeze whole. Dried galangal lasts months.