Photo of Zingiber officinale foliage by Obsidian Soul

Photo by Obsidian Soul

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Zingiber officinale

Also Known As

  • Canton Ginger
  • Chinese Ginger
  • Common Ginger
  • Cooking Ginger
  • Edible Ginger

Plant type

perennial, bulb / corm / tuber

size

  • H: 2'-4'
  • W: 2'-3'

planting zones

  • 8a-12

More Options

Zingiber officinale plant details

Zingiber officinale is a broadleaf deciduous perennial bulb / corm / tuber with green foliage. In summer purple and yellow flowers emerge. Grows well with mostly sun and regular water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Zingiber officinale

Plant type: perennial bulb / corm / tuber
Plant family: zingiberaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 2 FT - 3 FT - wide, 2 FT - 4 FT - tall
Flowers: purple and yellow blooms in summer
Uses: container plant, edible, medicinal, spreading, tropical-looking

GROWING CONDITIONS for Zingiber officinale

USDA Zones: 8a - 12
Sun exposure: mostly sun
Watering frequency: regular
Resistant to: heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Edible Yellow Ginger Root adds flavor and zing to many delicious culinary dishes. Pickled ginger root is a staple when eating sushi. Ginger has long been used in herbal medicine for its digestive properties. Plant ginger in a large pot or fabric grow bag that gives it plenty of room to expand. Ginger grows up and out from the original rhizome. Place 4-5" of potting media with compost or other organic matter mixed into the bottom of the pot. Add the Ginger Root and cover with 1-2" of soil. Make sure the roots stay warm. Give lots of water and fertilizer during the growing season. Every 4-6 weeks, add 2-3" of soil on top of the growing ginger. This is similar to 'hilling up" potatoes and will result in 8-12" of soil on top of the original rhizome. If you plant in an outdoor garden, put the ginger rhizome in a trench so soil can be hilled up during the summer growing season. During September to October, you'll be able to harvest baby ginger that has a mild flavor without skin or fiber. This can be pickled, frozen, canned or candied. For a more robust flavor, allow the ginger to mature until late December or early January. (Those in northern climates can bring the plants inside.) Once the leaves begin to die back, stop watering and harvest your ginger roots. The ginger roots will have a thick skin and a hotter flavor. You'll be able to enjoy delicious ginger root that you've grown in your own garden. We recommend 2 or 3 plants for a 14" pot.
A very tough and easy to grow tropical looking perennial. Grow your own fresh ginger to harvest from your garden or grow it in a container.

Gardening facts about Zingiber officinale plant

How to Grow Zingiber officinale

  • Sun Exposure

    • mostly sun
  • Water Needs

    • regular
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained
    • rich
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • humidity tolerant
    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • yellow
    • purple
  • Flower Season

    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous

See other plant types of Zingiber for your garden

aka Silver Arrow Hardy Ginger

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

6a-11

Size

Height: 24"-36"

Width: 18"-24"

  • mostly sun - mostly shade
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Zingiber mioga 'Silver Arrow' by Patricia Cunningham
View Plant

aka Alpinia malayensis 'Midnight', Zingiber malaysianum 'Midnight Black', Zingiber malaysianum 'Midnight', Black Ginger, Midnight Ginger

Plant Type

Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

Zones

9a-12

Size

Height: 2'-3'

Width: 1'-2'

  • mostly sun - shade
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Zingiber malaysianum foliage by Danger Garden
View Plant

More Options

aka Zingiber mioga 'Nakafu', Dancing Crane Ginger, Dancing Crane Japanese Woodland Ginger, Ginger-Variegated Japanese, Myoga Ginger

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

7a-11

Size

Height: 24"-36"

Width: 18"-24"

  • mostly sun - mostly shade
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Zingiber mioga 'Dancing Crane' foliage by Little Prince of Oregon
View Plant

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aka Zingiber mioga manacata, Edible Ginger, Japanese Hardy Ginger, Mioga Ginger, Myoga Ginger

Plant Type

Perennial, Herb

Zones

6a-11

Size

Height: 3'-6'

Width: 1'-5'

  • sun - shade
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Zingiber mioga foliage by Hiroshi Kumai
View Plant

More Options

aka Chiang Mai Princess Ginger

Plant Type

Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

Zones

9a-11

Size

Height: 3'-4'

Width: 2'

  • sun - mostly shade
  • even moisture
Photo of Zingiber citriodorum 'Chiang Mai Princess' flower by Tejas Tropicals
View Plant

More Options

+17 more Zingiber
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