Can I grow ginger from a piece of ginger?
Written by
Liu Xiaohui
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.It's simpler than you might think to grow ginger from kitchen scraps. First, choose plump rhizomes that have several eyes, and little projections where new growth starts. Organic ginger will usually do better than conventionally grown ginger because it treats the rhizomes with reducing agents that inhibit growth. I have taken a grocery-store piece of ginger that I forgot about and soaked it in lukewarm chamomile tea overnight!
Pre-Sprouting Techniques
- Soak rhizomes 8 hours in 1:4 vinegar-water solution
- Place on damp paper towels in sealed containers
- Maintain 75°F (24°C) using seedling heat mats
- Watch for green shoots within 10-14 days
Soil Preparation
- Mix coconut coir, compost, and perlite (3:2:1 ratio)
- Sterilize reused potting soil at 200°F for 30 minutes
- Test pH weekly with digital meters
- Adjust using coffee grounds for acidity
Plant rhizomes in a 12-inch container, buried 1 inch deep, with multiple pieces spaced 6 inches apart to avoid overcrowding. I prefer using fabric grow bags as they allow better airflow; I found that with my previous experiments with ceramic pots in the summer humidity, the soil would rot.
Watering Schedule
- Check soil moisture daily in temperatures above 80°F
- Reduce watering to weekly in dormancy (winter)
- Use rainwater to prevent mineral buildup
- Install drip irrigation for consistency
Different goals produce different harvesting times. If your objective is to harvest tender baby ginger, you can dig it after 4 months. If you're after mature rhizomes, the rhizomes will begin to get a robust flavor at approximately 8-10 months. If you've harvested ginger rhizomes, please cure them in a shaded, dry place for 72 hours before refrigerating or freezing them in a manner that allows for long-term storage.
Read the full article: How to Grow Ginger: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
