What should not be planted near ginger?
Written by
Liu Xiaohui
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.To know how to grow ginger successfully, it's important to understand what other plants won't contribute to the well-being of ginger. Certain companion plants use up nutrients, attract pests, or stress soil conditions. By thinking ahead you can avoid slow growth and maximize rhizome production. I learned this the hard way after losing a patch to a misplaced mint.
Root Vegetables
- Carrots and potatoes steal underground space
- Their dense roots block ginger's lateral spread
- Harvest disturbances damage shallow ginger rhizomes
Water-Hungry Species
- Cucumbers and zucchini require daily watering
- Excess moisture promotes ginger root rot
- Creates fungal breeding grounds in shared soil
Plants with allelopathic properties, such as walnut trees, secrete chemicals called juglone from both their root systems and leaves. These substances inhibit the cellular growth of ginger. It is important to make sure you are maintaining a buffer of at least 50 feet away from these trees. I had to relocate my ginger out of the drip lines of my walnut trees in my garden in the Appalachians when it failed.
pH Disruptors
- Blueberries acidify soil below pH 5.5
- Ginger thrives in 5.5-6.5 range
- Test soil quarterly near acid-loving plants
Tall marginal crops or windbreaks create microclimate issues with smaller crops. For example, I planted ginger next to 6-foot okra and found a drop in soil temperature of as much as 9°F (5°C) which delayed crop maturity. I now use dwarf fruit trees as windbreaks instead, so the smaller crops receive full sun for 6 or more hours per day.
Read the full article: How to Grow Ginger: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
