Is store-bought ginger safe to plant?
Written by
Liu Xiaohui
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Growing ginger from store-bought roots is simple; the first step is to find good rhizomes to grow. You can often obtain organic ginger with eyes that sprout more reliably. However, conventional ginger should work, given you treat it. I recently had some shrunken grocery-store ginger that I mixed with a "honey water," and it started to come back to life, so there is a bit of resiliency to any ginger if given proper care.
Conventional Ginger Treatment
- Soak 12 hours in 1:4 vinegar-water solution
- Scrub gently to remove chemical residues
- Air-dry on wire racks for 24 hours
- Check for swollen buds before planting
Organic Ginger Prep
- Rinse under cold water to remove debris
- Soak 2 hours in kelp-enriched water
- Pre-sprout in damp paper towels
- Plant within 48 hours for best results
Select rhizomes sporting several growth buds. These knobby, blunt protrusions tell you the piece has a vigorous growing system. Always avoid rhizomes with mold or soft areas. Last summer, my Florida neighbor casually noted that he grows award-winning ginger from supermarket cast-offs that he buys with a focus on the number of growth buds that will produce new growth, not the size of the rhizome.
Pre-Planting Care
- Store at 55°F (13°C) until planting
- Wrap in damp newspaper for humidity
- Avoid refrigeration below 40°F (4°C)
- Use breathable containers for airflow
Rhizomes of plants were treated to be established 1.5 inches deep in warm soil. It is advisable to use pots for container gardeners, no smaller than 10 inches in diameter, with drainage holes. In my experiment with recycled milk jugs, I found they grow on average 40% faster than ceramic planters, S most likely due to enhanced air circulation.
Read the full article: How to Grow Ginger: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
