Indoor Ginger Care: Ginger Houseplant Growing Tips

(Image credit: svehlik)

Ginger root is such a delightful culinary ingredient, adding spiciness to savory and sweet recipes. It’s also a medicinal remedy for indigestion and upset stomach. If you grow your own, in an indoor container, you’ll never run out again.

Can You Grow Ginger Indoors?

Ginger as a houseplant is not typical, but it is very much possible. Outdoors, the ginger plant is not terribly hardy. If you live north of zone 9, frost and freezes could compromise any ginger plants in your garden. If you want to grow and enjoy your own ginger root though, you can grow it indoors in a container with very little effort.

How to Grow Ginger Indoors

To start ginger houseplant growing, all you need is a root, and you can find those at your local grocery store. The same roots you buy to cook with can be used to start your houseplant. Pick a root that is smooth and not shriveled and that has nodes; these are where the sprouts will emerge. A few 1 or 2 inch (2.5-5 cm.) chunks are all you need, but go organic or they may not sprout. To get the sprouting process started, soak your root pieces in warm water overnight. Press each piece a few inches (8 cm.) into rich, organic soil that you filled a pot with, but make sure the pot drains well. Cover the root chunks only lightly with soil.

Indoor Ginger Care

Once you have the roots in a pot, you only need to wait and watch as they sprout, while keeping it moist and warm. Use a spritzer to keep the air humid around the pot and water regularly so the soil doesn’t dry out. You also don’t want the soil to be soaking; just keep it moist. Choose a warm spot, around 75 degrees F. (24 C.). If your weather is warm, you can move the pot outside. Avoid freezing temperatures, though. You can expect your ginger plant to grow to 2 to 4 feet (61 cm. to 1 m.) in height. As soon as your plant is growing and green, you can start to harvest the root. Just pull the greens and the root will come out with them. Indoor ginger care is something anyone can do, and when you grow your own ginger plant, you can expect to always have a tasty supply of this delicious seasoning.

Mary Ellen Ellis
Writer

Mary Ellen Ellis has been gardening for over 20 years. With degrees in Chemistry and Biology, Mary Ellen's specialties are flowers, native plants, and herbs.