How to grow Ginger in Australia
Culinary ginger (Zingiber officinale) is grown from a piece of rhizome planted in spring. It loves warmth, humidity, rich moist soil and dappled light, and it dies back in winter. In Queensland it grows like a weed; in cooler areas it is best in a large pot in the warmest spot.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Ginger in Australia: Planting Ginger From Root
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | August to November | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | August to November | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | August to October | Pre-sprout indoors Aug to Sept; plant Oct in warm microclimate; dies down in winter. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | Not suited | Needs 9+ warm months; Melbourne winter kills rhizome. Unsuitable. Must lift and store indoors. |
| Adelaide & SA | September and October | Marginal. Plant rhizomes Sep to Oct in pots in a warm sheltered spot and move under cover before winter. Expect small harvests. |
| Perth & WA | August and September | Plant Aug to Sep. Ginger rots in cold wet soil, so it must be well established before winter. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. Needs 9 warm months. The Tasmanian season is far too short. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Ginger unsuitable for Canberra: tropical rhizome; frost kills; needs consistent warmth and moisture. Not viable. |
| North Queensland | August to November | Dry season Aug to Nov. Ginger is tropical staple rhizome. Plant in dry season for wet-season growth. |
| Darwin & Top End | August to November | Dry season Aug to Nov. Ginger is tropical staple rhizome. Plant in dry season for wet-season growth. |
Not to be confused with: Turmeric and Galangal, which are related rhizomes grown the same way, and Native Ginger, an Australian rainforest plant with edible blue fruit. Ornamental gingers such as shell ginger are grown for flowers, not for eating.
Where to plant
Ginger grows best in a warm, sheltered, humid spot with dappled light or morning sun and protection from hot afternoon sun and wind. It needs rich, deep soil (at least 30 cm) with plenty of compost that holds moisture but never stays waterlogged, as cold, wet soil rots the rhizomes.
- South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers and the tropics: plant in the ground from August to November.
- Sydney and Perth: possible in a warm spot; plant in spring once the soil warms, ideally in a pot or a well-drained trench with lots of compost.
- Adelaide: marginal; grow in a pot you can move under cover before winter.
- Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart: too cold outdoors. Grow in a pot in a warm, sheltered spot or a greenhouse.
How to plant
- Buy plump, fresh seed ginger with visible buds (eyes) from a nursery or garden supplier in spring. Supermarket ginger that has been treated or dried out may not sprout.
- Cut it into pieces about 5 cm long with at least one or two buds each. Let the cut ends dry for a day.
- In cooler areas, sprout the pieces first in a tray of moist potting mix in a warm spot for a few weeks.
- Plant pieces lying flat, about 5 cm deep and 20 to 25 cm apart, buds facing up.
- Water in lightly and keep the soil just moist until shoots appear, then water more as it grows.
- Mulch well to keep the soil cool and moist.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil evenly moist through the warm growing months, as ginger uses a lot of water in summer. Cut back watering as the leaves yellow in late autumn, and keep the soil on the dry side while it is dormant in winter, so the rhizomes do not rot.
Ginger is a hungry crop. Dig in plenty of compost and well-rotted manure before planting, and feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser every two to four weeks while it is growing strongly.
Harvesting
You can dig young, mild ginger from about 6 months after planting, when the rhizomes are pale with pink tips and tender skin; in Queensland that is around February and March. For mature ginger with a stronger flavour, wait until the leaves yellow and die back in late autumn or winter, then dig the whole clump.
Keep a few plump pieces to replant in spring. Advice varies for cooler areas: some growers leave clumps in the ground or pot for two years for a bigger harvest. Store fresh ginger in a bag in the fridge for a few weeks, or freeze it.
Growing in pots
Ginger grows well in a wide pot or tub at least 30 cm deep, filled with premium potting mix and compost. Pots let you grow it in cooler areas and move it somewhere warm and sheltered. Keep the mix moist but not soggy, feed regularly in summer, and let it dry off in winter.
Using it
- Young ginger has thin skin and a mild flavour; use it fresh, pickled or in stir-fries without peeling.
- Mature ginger is stronger and more fibrous; grate it for cooking, tea and baking.
- The young shoots and leaves can be used to flavour cooking, though they are not usually eaten.
Propagation
Ginger does not grow from seed in home gardens. Replant pieces of rhizome with buds each spring, or divide an established clump.
Varieties
- Queensland Yellow (Buderim strain)
- Japanese Pink (Myoga)
Companion planting
Ginger shares its needs with its relatives, so grow them together in the same warm, moist bed.
Good companions
- Turmeric A close relative that needs the same warmth, shade and moist soil.
Pests and diseases
Ginger has few pests in home gardens. Nearly all losses come from rot in cold or waterlogged soil.
Ginger is rarely troubled by pests.
Diseases to watch for
- Rhizome rot Yellowing leaves and soft, rotten rhizomes in wet soil. Improve drainage, plant only healthy pieces, and keep soil drier in winter.
Common questions
Can I grow ginger from the supermarket?
Sometimes. Fresh, plump pieces with visible buds may sprout, but ginger that has been treated or dried out often will not. Seed ginger from a nursery or garden supplier in spring is more reliable.
How long does ginger take to grow?
You can dig young ginger from about 6 months after planting. Mature ginger is ready when the leaves die back in late autumn or winter, usually 8 to 10 months after a spring planting.
Does ginger need sun or shade?
Dappled light or morning sun with shade from the hot afternoon sun suits it best. In cooler areas it needs the warmest spot you have.
Can I grow ginger in Melbourne or other cool areas?
Not in the ground, as cold, wet winters rot the rhizomes. Grow it in a large pot in a warm, sheltered spot or a greenhouse, and keep it dry while it is dormant in winter.
What is the difference between ginger, galangal and turmeric?
They are related rhizomes grown the same way. Ginger has a hot, spicy flavour; galangal is firmer with a sharp, citrus-pine flavour used in Thai cooking; turmeric has bright orange flesh and an earthy flavour.
Why are my ginger leaves turning yellow?
Yellowing in late autumn is normal: the plant is going dormant and the rhizomes are maturing. Yellowing in the growing season usually means the soil is too wet or too dry, or the plant needs feeding.
Sources we checked: Gardening Australia: Ginger Ninja; ABC Everyday: Grow your own ginger at home; Queensland DAF: The Australian ginger industry.