It’s also called Canton ginger or common ginger. It’s used to make tea that’s good for you and adds flavor to soups. Often candied for its sweet but warming sensation.
At this time of the year, beginning in September, we cut off all the leaves because the plants are going to sleep. They will grow back next spring.
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Where to Buy Ginger Root to Grow Your Own Ginger Plants
Ginger is a tropical plant prized both for its culinary uses and medicinal properties. The spicy, fragrant rhizomes can be used fresh dried, powdered, candied, or infused into oil. Ginger root also contains anti-inflammatory compounds like gingerol that provide health benefits. With the rising popularity of home gardening, many people are interested in learning where to buy ginger root to grow their own ginger plants.
Ginger purchased at a grocery store often won’t sprout since it’s typically treated to prevent new growth. Specialty nurseries and online retailers offer ginger rhizomes sold specifically for planting and propagating new ginger plants at home. Below are some of the best places to buy ginger plants and rhizomes for growing your own ginger crop.
Local Nurseries and Garden Centers
Check with independent nurseries local garden centers, or specialty growers in your area to find ginger rhizomes sold for propagation. These businesses may carry tropical specialty plants like ginger, turmeric, and galangal especially in warmer climates like Florida and Hawaii where they can be grown outdoors year-round.
The benefit of sourcing ginger locally is you can hand pick plump, healthy rhizomes ideal for planting. Talk to staff for tips on the best varieties that grow well in your region. Local ginger is also acclimated to your climate and soil conditions.
Downsides are limited availability and variety. Call ahead to confirm they carry ginger for planting, since most nurseries focus on the more common edible and ornamental plants. Be aware that supplies may be limited based on season and demand.
Online Tropical Plant Nurseries
Purchasing ginger roots for planting from an online tropical plant nursery expands your options for buyinghealthy, robust ginger rhizomes suitable for propagation. These specialty retailers offer much greater range of ginger cultivars, sizes, and quantities compared to local sources.
Reputable online nurseries provide detailed information on the ginger varieties they carry, growing conditions, and care. For example, A Natural Farm in Florida offers organic, non-GMO ginger plants grown on their farm without chemicals. You can order up to 4 plants shipped directly to your door.
Check customer reviews and satisfaction guarantees from any online plant source before purchasing to avoid getting poor quality ginger rhizomes. Also factor in shipping costs and transit time for live plants.
Organic Food Stores and Co-ops
Health food markets, organic food co-ops, and specialty grocers focused on organic produce sometimes carry fresh ginger root for eating that can also be used for planting. This ginger is untreated so it may sprout and grow when planted.
Selection is typically limited to more common grocery store ginger varieties, so don’t expect to find rare types. But organic ginger rhizomes are ideal for growing especially if you plan to use the homegrown roots for consumption.
Check the produce sections for FRESH ginger that looks firm, plump and has visible “eyes” or growth buds. Soft, wrinkled or shriveled rhizomes won’t sprout well. The roots also need to be untreated and organic. Let the produce manager know you plan to plant it and request the best rhizomes for propagation.
Ethnic Food Markets and Asian Groceries
Markets specializing in Asian foods often sell fresh ginger root that has not been treated to prevent sprouting. Chinese, Indian, Thai, Vietnamese and other ethnic grocers frequently carry ginger still in its “raw” sproutable form before commercial processing.
You can find conventional ginger as well as unique varieties like Hawaiian yellow ginger not available other places. Prices may be cheaper than typical supermarkets.
While ethnic markets focus more on ginger for cooking, their untreated fresh roots sold in the produce aisle offer another local source for planting stock. Examine the ginger carefully and buy plump rhizomes with visible growth nodes.
Things to Look for When Buying Ginger Root for Planting
To grow vibrant ginger plants from rhizomes, select ginger roots with these characteristics:
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Fresh and Firm – Avoid wrinkled, moldy or dried out rhizomes. Pick plump, heavy roots.
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Growth Buds – Rhizomes should have visible “eyes” or growth points.
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Untreated – Unsprayed ginger without growth retardants or fungicides.
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Organic – Ginger grown without synthetic pesticides and chemicals.
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Large – Bigger roots have more stored nutrients to sprout vigorously.
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Disease Free – No mold, rot, lesions or insect damage on the rhizomes.
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Unblemished – Avoid cuts, bruises, cracks or scars on the root’s surface.
When searching where to buy ginger locally or online, semi-mature rhizomes between 2-6 inches long offer the best balance of size and affordability. The largest, most developed roots command premium pricing.
What Type of Ginger is Best for Growing?
There are many ginger species and varieties to choose from when buying ginger root for planting. The main types include:
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Common Ginger – Most widely available and used for cooking. Yellow ginger roots.
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Baby Ginger – Young, small tender rhizomes with milder flavor. Not always labeled by variety.
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Hawaiian Yellow Ginger – Denser, more pineapple flavored. Used in Hawaiian cuisine.
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Chinese Yellow Ginger – Very similar to common ginger but with yellow skin.
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Thai Ginger – Known for hot, gingery, spicy flavor. Pinkish beige rhizome.
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Hiang Ginger – Aromatic variety used as incense and perfume. Fibrous stalks when mature.
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White Ginger – Milder tender white roots. Used for pickling and candy.
For beginners, common ginger offers familiar heat and flavor perfect for cooking and medicinal uses. It’s also the easiest type of ginger plant to grow. More exotic varieties can be explored after getting experience cultivating common ginger rhizomes first.
How Much Ginger Root is Needed to Grow Ginger?
The amount of ginger rhizomes needed depends on how many plants you want to grow. Each section of ginger root with an active growth bud can sprout into a new ginger plant. Larger, more developed rhizomes will yield multiple plants.
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1-3 plants – Get one 4-6 inch rhizome with a couple buds.
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3-6 plants – Purchase one 8-10 inch ginger root or two smaller 4 inch pieces.
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6-12 plants – Buy a 1 pound ginger “hand” which has multiple sproutable rhizomes attached.
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12-15 plants – Get a 2 pound bunch of organic ginger from an Asian market with many growth points.
Allow for some loss as not every bud may sprout. Having extra ginger rhizomes provides backup if any pieces fail to grow. Planting more small ginger root sections instead of fewer big rhizomes gives greater odds of success.
Tips for Getting Your Ginger to Grow
Follow these tips after purchasing ginger root to get the healthiest plants possible:
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Check rhizomes and remove any bruised or damaged areas with a clean knife.
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Soak the ginger root overnight before planting to initiate sprouting.
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Use wide, shallow containers with drainage holes and rich potting mix for planting.
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Bury the roots just below the soil surface an inch or two deep.
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Water sparingly initially until sprouts appear, then water more as plants grow.
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Place containers in bright, warm location but avoid direct hot sun which can burn leaves.
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Consider using a heat mat to maintain optimal 75-85°F root zone temperature for faster growth.
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Mist foliage regularly to boost humidity around plants.
With proper care, the ginger rhizomes you plant should show sprouts and leaves within 2-6 weeks. Monitor moisture carefully, provide good light and warmth, and protect from direct sun to help your ginger grow vigorously.
Expanding Your Palette with Homegrown Ginger
Ginger has so many versatile uses, it’s well worth learning where to source fresh rhizomes for planting your own ginger garden. Homegrown ginger provides an abundant supply of roots at their freshest, most nutrient rich stage for seasonings and natural remedies. Growing ginger yourself also lets you try exotic and rare varieties rarely found in local stores.
While grocery store ginger works in a pinch, seek out untreated, organic ginger root from nurseries, ethnic markets, and specialty online shops to get the best results growing ginger plants at home. With a little care and patience, you’ll soon enjoy an endless supply of this zesty, aromatic rhizome spice.
Zingiber officinale; Yellow Ginger Root ### ASAIN GINGER, DIGESTION CURE ALL & CULINARY STAPLE
There are planting instructions for turmeric plants that work well in pots (zones 5–11) and in the ground (zones 8–11). Turmeric plants that are grown in pots can be brought inside for the winter and will stay dormant without leaves.
Turmeric To establish the plant, initial watering schedule can include 2-3 times weekly, with reduced needs in subsequent weeks. Water needs are minimal once established. Rhizomes that are grown next to other plants in loose soil and only get extra water are the healthiest and tastiest.
Cover plants with a thick layer of loose organic bedding to keep them safe during the cooler months when they’re dormant and to keep the soil moist during the warmer months.
Expect to harvest roots after their first season in 7-8 months. Allow rhizomes to spread unharvested for two seasons in soil that does not freeze. Overwinter for one winter season and allow for another season of growth.
Arrange Gingers in block plantings or small gardens of their own for higher yields of the rhizome. Interplant in blocks alongside other garden vegetables to stack the functions of Turmeric’s disease & pest balancing properties.
Gophers & voles are only pests for Turmeric & Ginger that we have encountered. This is eliminated in plants grown in a container. Growing Turmeric in the ground will accumulate soil-born elements that aid in repelling disease & pests. Turmeric in tea will do the same thing for your body, helping to heal and ease a wide range of illnesses.
USDA Hardiness Zones (which zone am I?): 8-11 (in ground), 5-11 (in containers)Deciduous/Evergreen: DeciduousPlant Type: PerennialYears to Bear Fruit & Edible Qualities: Classic grocery store available Ginger. Tuber like root/rhizome are edible, used medicinally and in teasFull Size: Leaves will get up to 4-5 high depending on root massCold Tolerance: Dormant overwintering, can be grown as long as the ground does not freeze. If heavy frosts are likely in cold temperate climates, rhizomes can be dug up and stored in a cool dark place. Mulch with loose bedding for additional cold protection.Light Requirements: Shade Preferred with morning and early evening sun.Drought Tolerance/Watering: Handles drought and flooding, water needs based on location. More sun, more moisture needed.Soil & Site Requirements: We recommend planting ginger in containers or keep it less invasive in the garden with supervision. Avoid burnt tips on the leaves by ensuring shade from mid-day summer sun and provide supplemental watering during droughts.
Ginger Growing from Store-Bought Ginger Roots!
FAQ
Will store bought ginger root grow?
How long does root ginger take to grow?
Where do you find ginger root in the grocery store?
Where to get ginger to grow?
How do you grow ginger root?
To grow ginger root, start by obtaining fresh rhizomes from someone who grows ginger or buy them from the shop during early spring. Ensure you select rhizomes that are fresh and plump, with well-developed ‘eyes’ or growth buds.
Where can I buy ginger?
Ginger can be found in the produce section of the grocery store. You can also buy dried and ground ginger in the spices aisle. Pickled ginger is often served with sushi. The spice goes well with dishes that include pumpkin or squash. It’s also the main flavoring ingredient in ginger ale and ginger beer.
Can you grow ginger rhizomes?
Ginger, or Adrak, is a kitchen staple with both culinary and medicinal uses. It adds a warm, aromatic flavor to various dishes and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. To grow ginger, you can use ginger rhizomes, plant them in well-draining soil, and provide partial sunlight.