Fresh ginger is easy in a warm climate and a revelation compared with the shop-bought root. It's a leafy tropical rhizome that loves warmth, rich soil and a long season — all easy in a raised bed.
Quick facts
- Position: part shade to full sun; likes warmth
- Spacing: 20–30 cm apart
- Tub depth: our 35 cm depth
- Time to harvest: 8–10 months
When to plant: Ginger is frost-tender and needs a long warm season — plant pieces of fresh rhizome in spring, once the soil is warm. Our free planting calendar shows the right months for your postcode.
Growing it in a raised bed: Plant plump rhizome pieces (each with a bud or 'eye') a few centimetres deep in rich, moist, free-draining mix. It likes warmth and a bit of shelter from harsh afternoon sun.
Watering and feeding: Keep the mix moist through the growing season, then let it dry off as the leaves yellow in autumn before harvest.
Common pests: keep an eye out for aphids — though most herbs are pleasingly pest-resistant. See our safe pest guide.
Common problems: the main one to watch is leaf spot, usually from damp, crowded conditions. Good airflow and morning watering prevent most.
Companion plants: Give it a warm, sheltered spot; it grows well alongside turmeric and lemongrass. See our companion planting guide.
Harvest and storage: Dig 'green' young ginger any time once clumps are established, or wait until the tops die down in autumn for mature rhizomes. Keep some to replant.
More growing guides: turmeric, lemongrass and Vietnamese mint.
Plan your patch: our free planting calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.
Image: Sanjay Acharya, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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