Ginger is a tropical plant that thrives in warm, humid conditions. While traditionally grown outdoors as an annual crop in most regions, ginger can also be grown indoors during the winter months to provide a steady supply of fresh ginger root for cooking, teas, and DIY remedies.
With the right setup and care techniques, you can sustain a productive potted ginger plant indoors throughout the winter. This enables harvesting homegrown ginger just when you need that spicy kick in hearty winter meals and beverages.
In this article, we’ll cover tips and tricks for successfully growing ginger indoors in winter including ideal conditions, planting, watering, troubleshooting issues, and harvesting fresh ginger root.
Choosing the Best Ginger Variety for Indoor Growing
Look for these varieties that are best suited for container culture and indoor winter conditions:
-
Hawaiian yellow ginger – Vigorous grower with pale yellow flesh. Excellent potted variety.
-
Rio de Janeiro ginger – Prolific producer of large rhizomes with white flesh.
-
Chinese yellow ginger – Winter hardy with smooth yellow skin and a spicy bite when raw
-
Nigerian ginger – A dwarf variety that thrives in pots with dense aromatic rhizomes.
-
Baby ginger – Mini knobs with thin skin make harvesting easy. Nice for cooking and teas.
Avoid supermarket mature ginger rhizomes which may harbor disease Purchase certified disease-free ginger starts from reputable suppliers
Providing the Right Conditions for Growing Ginger Indoors
Ginger needs warm temperatures, high humidity, filtered light, rich soil, and ample moisture to thrive indoors during winter.
Ideal temperature range: 70-80°F
Humidity level: 40-60%
Light: Bright indirect or 2-4 hours of morning sun
Soil: Loose, well-draining potting mix amended with compost
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy
Monitor conditions daily and make adjustments to meet ginger’s preferences. Supplement natural light with grow lights. Use a humidifier to maintain humidity.
Planting Ginger in Containers for Indoor Growing
Pot: At least 12” wide and deep with drainage holes. Dark colors absorb heat.
Time to plant: Late winter through early spring
Planting steps:
-
Fill pot 2/3 full with amended potting mix.
-
Place a 2-4 inch piece of fresh ginger rhizome with growth buds sideways in soil. Cover lightly with 1⁄4 inch more mix.
-
Water well initially then keep moist, not soaked.
-
Add more potting mix as stems and leaves form, keeping rhizome tips just covered.
-
Plant multiple rhizome pieces in a large container for higher yields. Space 4-6 inches apart.
Caring for Ginger Plants Indoors Through the Winter
Watering: Check soil daily. Water when just dry to the touch 1-2 inches down. Avoid overwatering.
Fertilizing: Use balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during active growth.
Light: Rotate pot weekly so growth is even. Introduce to morning sun gradually.
Support: Stake stems as needed. Ginger can reach 3-4 feet tall when happy!
Pruning: Remove yellow leaves and spent stems to encourage new growth.
Repotting: Shift to a larger container in early spring if rhizomes fill the pot.
Pests: Inspect weekly and treat for aphids, spider mites, fungus gnats, or mealybugs. Quarantine new plants.
Cleaning: Wipe leaves with damp cloth to remove dust that blocks light.
Harvesting: Break off smaller side rhizomes early on for immediate use to encourage vigor.
Troubleshooting Problems with Indoor Grown Ginger
Yellow leaves: Usually signaling overwatering. Allow soil to dry out more between waterings.
Brown leaf tips: Caused by low humidity. Increase humidity levels around the plant.
Few leaves/leggy stems: Needs more sunlight. Supplement with grow lights.
Failure to sprout: Rhizome may have dried out. Maintain even moisture during sprouting stage.
Slow growth: Night temperatures may be too low. Aim to keep temps above 65°F.
Root rot: Waterlogged soil. Allow soil to dry out further between waterings.
Pests: Treat immediately with organic sprays once spotted on foliage. Be vigilant.
Harvesting and Storing Ginger Rhizomes
When: Harvest ginger when the pot is full and about 10 months after planting.
How: Carefully tip the ginger plant from its pot. Select rhizomes for replanting. Break off the rest.
Curing: Lay harvested rhizomes out to dry for 1-2 weeks.
Storing: Place dried ginger rhizomes in an open ziplock bag in the crisper drawer of the fridge. Will last several months.
Replanting: Select a few pencil-sized side rhizomes with visible growth buds to replant for the next winter crop.
Enjoy slow grown ginger rhizomes bursting with spicy flavor harvested right from your own indoor winter garden. With the right care, indoor ginger can yield an abundant edible crop while infusing your home with a taste of the tropics.
How to Grow Ginger in a cold climate Garden (Yes, You can!)
FAQ
Can you keep ginger as a houseplant?
What do I do with my ginger plant in the winter?
How cold is too cold for ginger?
How to grow Ginger indoors?
See how to grow ginger indoors. Ginger can also be grown well in large containers and is particularly suited to grow bags. The rhizomes grow wide rather than deep, so a container with a large diameter is required–at least 12 inches wide for a single plant. Whether in the ground or container, ginger loves soil rich in organic matter.
How do you grow Ginger in a garden?
Great soil is your foundation for gardening success. Ginger roots love to grow in loose, well-draining soil. Pick a high-quality potting mix from garden stores. You can also make your own by mixing your garden soil with some compost. Just make sure that your potting mix drains really well as waterlogged soils can quickly result in root rot.
How do you care for a ginger plant?
When you first plant ginger, do not over water. The soil just needs to be kept lightly misted so it doesn’t dry out. Once the shoots break through the soil, you can begin to water more generously. It appreciates the moisture, just make sure the soil is draining well.
Can Ginger grow in cold weather?
While it can tolerate temperatures down to 55 F, going below can result in the plant getting stressed from the cold. You might end up with stunted growth at best and plant death at worst. Aside from temperature, humidity is important when keeping your ginger indoors.