The spice or herb ginger (Zingiber officinale) grows best in warm climates, and it’s been labeled a “superfood” just like garlic and turmeric. It can relieve swelling and act as an antibiotic. The capacity of this cooling and therapeutic rhizome to boost digestive fire is well-known.
Continue reading for information on how to cultivate ginger in containers so you’ll always have access to this versatile root, which is used in nearly every cuisine in the world.
1. Growing Ginger in Pots
Start your ginger plants in the spring for the greatest results. It is preferable to grow ginger in containers during the early wet season, but you can attempt growing it at any time if you live in a frost-free mild region.
The process of cultivating ginger roots is simple: Get hold of some fresh ginger roots (rhizomes) that are nearly 3 to 5 inches in length.
Each piece should have at least one eye or bud of growth. These little green buds are similar to those of potatoes.
If you buy ginger from a grocery store, soak the rhizomes in water for at least a few hours before using it, or better yet, buy it fresh from a farmer’s market where the ginger has not been treated with growth-retardant chemicals.
The next morning, cut each root into pieces that are 1 to 2 inches long. These regions must have at least one budding eye. The size of the section will depend on the number of eyes on the root. New ginger plants can be grown from these eyes, so divide the plant as many as you like.
You can plant the rhizomes as a whole, but if you’ve divided them up, wait a day or two for the cuts to form calluses before planting.
Fill the pot with warm, rich potting soil. Plant the rhizomes 1 to 2 inches deep, with the eyes (buds) facing up, and 5 inches apart.
To plant, lightly cover with potting soil, about 2 inches deep, and water until the soil is damp but not soaked. Plants need at least five hours of bright indirect light per day, so place the container somewhere warm and sunny.
It will take three to eight weeks for the first sprouts to appear. Don’t let the soil get too dry, but don’t let it become soggy either.
