How to Plant, Grow & Harvest Ginger in Australia

How to Grow Ginger

Ginger is a tasty and easy spice to grow in your own garden. Tropical and subtropical gardeners can grow ginger year-round in warm and humid climates. Temperate gardeners will be able to grow ginger during the warmer months of the year only unless they have a greenhouse or similar to keep the plant safe from cold winter nights and frost. It’s the rhizomes or root of the ginger plant you harvest for the zesty, warming spice that you can use in stir-fries, curries, teas, or even dry it to make ground ginger.

Quick facts about growing ginger

- Ginger takes around 8–10 months to fully mature

- It is grown from rhizomes (not seeds)

- Best planted in warm months once soil temperatures rise

- Requires warm, humid conditions to thrive

- Can be grown in both garden beds and pots

- Harvest can begin earlier for “young ginger” (around 4–5 months)

- Each planted rhizome can multiply into a larger clump over time

Essential shopping list for planting ginger

Ginger rhizomes or roots
Scotts Organic Soil Improver, for improving garden soil before planting
Scotts Osmocote Controlled Release Fertiliser: Tomato, Vegetable & Herb, for feeding ginger grown in the ground
Garden trowel
Scotts Vegetable Garden Mulch, for helping suppress weeds, retain soil moisture and protect plant roots
Pot with drainage holes, if growing in a container
Scotts Osmocote Tomato, Vegetable & Herb Potting Mix, if growing in pots

When is the best time to plant ginger?

Ginger grows best when planted in warm conditions, as it needs consistently warm soil to sprout and establish strong growth. The best time to plant ginger is in spring and early summer when temperatures are warm and there is no risk of frost. It requires soil temperatures ideally above 20°C to grow successfully. Ginger grows best during warm, humid months, and in cooler climates it can be started indoors and moved outside once conditions warm up. Plant from September to November in most areas; in the tropics and subtropics you can start from late winter once the soil is warm. Ginger is a perennial plant in warm climates and will regrow each year if conditions remain suitable or if rhizomes are left in the ground.

Growing ginger in the garden

Ginger is grown from fresh rhizomes planted in warm, rich soil. It prefers a sheltered position with partial shade and consistently moist conditions.

Step 1: Choose the right location

Choose a filtered sun spot in your garden or if growing in temperate regions a greenhouse is ideal. You can also grow ginger indoors over winter if needed.

Step 2: Prepare the soil

Enrich the soil with organic matter before planting by mixing through Scotts Osmocote® Compost Premium Soil Improver and Scotts Osmocote® Plus Organics Tomato, Vegetable & Herb Plant Food & Soil Improver. The soil needs to be moist, but free draining. Soggy soil will cause the rhizomes to rot.

Step 3: Prepare the rhizomes

Cut the large ginger rhizome into smaller pieces about 3–5cm long with one or two growing points or “eyes”. Leave the cut pieces exposed to the air for a few days to dry before planting. Buy seed ginger from a nursery, or use organic ginger, as supermarket ginger may be treated to stop it sprouting.

Step 4: Plant the rhizomes

Plant each piece 5-10cm deep with the growth eye pointing up. Leave 20cm between pieces.

Step 5: Water and mulch

Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Lightly mulch after they’ve sprouted with an open mulch to retain moisture.

Step 6: Maintain growth

Keep soil consistently moist and feed regularly during the growing season.

Growing ginger in pots

Growing ginger in pots is ideal in cooler climates or where garden space is limited. It also helps control soil conditions and makes harvesting easier.

Step 1: Choose your pot

Select a wide, shallow pot with good drainage holes. Ginger spreads horizontally, so width is more important than depth.

Step 2: Add the right soil

Fill the pot with rich, free-draining potting mix mixed with compost to improve nutrients and moisture retention.

Step 3: Plant the ginger

Place rhizome pieces 5–10cm deep with buds facing upward and space them slightly apart.

Step 4: Position correctly

Place the pot in a warm spot with indirect light or partial shade. Avoid harsh afternoon sun.

Step 5: Water regularly

Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Consistent moisture is key for strong growth.

Step 6: Feed during growth

Apply a liquid fertiliser every few weeks during active growing periods.

Harvesting ginger

Ginger can be harvested at different stages depending on how you want to use it. You can lift young ginger early for a milder, more tender flavour, or wait until full maturity for larger, more developed rhizomes with a stronger taste. Knowing when and how to harvest ensures you get the best yield and quality from your plant.

How long does ginger take to grow?

Ginger takes around 8–10 months to fully mature. In ideal warm conditions, growth is faster, while cooler climates can extend the growing period.

When is ginger ready to harvest?

Ginger is usually ready to harvest after 8–10 months, once it has fully matured and developed a strong rhizome system. For rhizomes planted out in spring, this means mature ginger is typically ready from late autumn to winter, once the leaves yellow and die back; young ginger can be harvested earlier, from about late summer. Timing can vary slightly depending on climate, soil conditions and care.

How do you know ginger is ready to harvest?

Ginger is ready when the leaves begin to yellow and die back naturally. This is a sign the plant is entering dormancy and the rhizomes have reached full size.

How do you harvest ginger?

Carefully loosen the soil around the base of the plant and gently lift the clump of rhizomes. You can harvest the entire plant or remove sections and leave part of the rhizome in the ground to continue growing.

How do you store harvested ginger?

Fresh ginger can be stored in the refrigerator for short-term use, frozen for longer storage, or kept in a cool, dry place. Keeping it unpeeled helps maintain freshness for longer periods.

Harvesting a bunch of Ginger

Common ginger pests & diseases

Root rot is one of the most common killers of ginger. To prevent this make sure the plant's roots are moist, but never soggy and the soil it’s planted into has good drainage.
Slugs and Snails are most likely to cause significant damage to young shoots. Protect young ginger plants by setting beer traps (saucers filled with beer) amongst them or use Defender Snail & Slug Pellets.