While it thrives in zones 9-12, you can grow this tropical plant in a container or as an annual in cooler climates. It is known as the true ginger as it is one of the oldest known spice. Its origin is in the tropics of Asia. It is best known by its aroma and pungent flavor. Propagation can be accomplished by purchasing fresh ginger rhizomes in the spring and cut into short pieces, each with several healthy buds. After the cuts have dried out for a day or two plant them just below the surface of the soil in a partially shady spot with plenty of room for the plant to grow to its mature size of 4' high X 3' wide. To avoid root rot water sparingly until the plant starts to grow, then water and fertilize regularly. If potted, bring the plant inside before the temperatures drop below 50 degrees F. to avoid root rot in wet, cold soil. Carefully harvest several rhizomes to allow the remainder to continue to grow. The rhizomes are brown to golden colored with a corky outer skin that can be damaged through handling. The inside is a pale yellow and has a spicy scent. Young rhizomes are juicy and fleshy and mild taste. With maturity, they will dry, become more fibrous and have a somewhat zingy taste. It can be grown in a variety of soil types, but does best in soil that is rich in organic matter. Newly planted clumps will not flower for two years. The flowers grow on a separate, leafless stem. Container plants rarely bloom. As it is a tropical plant, it must be brought indoors during winter. Some cultures used fresh or frozen rhizomes in soups and stir-fry. Young sprouts are also edible. Baked goods, such as gingerbread and gingersnaps are both prepared using ginger. In the US, it is marketed in a powdered or candied form. Used as a herbal remedy for wide range of conditions. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Cold and/or wet locations can cause root rot. Placing plants in full sun can result in the foliage tipped with brown and poor growth. VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Zingiber .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Gold/Yellow; Green
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Spike
Flower detail
Cone-shaped flower spikes have a series of green or yellow bracts with translucent margins. The blooms protrude from the bracts. The inflorescence grows on a leafless stem that is separate from the foliage stem. It can take a few years before a new plant will flower.
Bloom time
Fall
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Typically grows with one or two stems.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Tropical Asia
Play value
Attractive Flowers
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Roots
Edibility
Rhizomes, ginger root and young sprouts are all edible.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants; Patio; Slope/Bank; Small Space; Walkways; Woodland