Ginger is a spicy herb that can add a strong flavor to many dishes. It is also believed to have many beneficial health effects, such as speeding up metabolism and reducing inflammation, so it's helpful to always have a supply on hand. The good news is that it's easy to grow it indoors and get a plant that you can harvest indefinitely. The secret is to start with strong roots, then choose the right soil and pot to plant them in.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Plant the Ginger
Step 1. Choose a wide and shallow pot
For a ginger plant, it is best to use a wide and rather low pot, because the roots grow horizontally and not vertically.
- A pot about 30cm wide and 30cm deep is usually a good choice for ginger.
- Make sure the pot has adequate drainage holes so that water doesn't accumulate near the roots.
- Place a deep container under the pot to catch the draining water.
Step 2. Fill the pot with high-drainage soil
Once you have chosen the pot, fill it with soil. It is important that you drain well, so that the roots of the plant remain healthy.
- Look for soil that contains sand, so that there is enough space inside for water to drain. Perlite and vermiculite also help improve drainage, so you can also use soils that contain those ingredients.
- Even a soil-free all-purpose mix is suitable for ginger plants, as it contains a lot of organic matter, such as peat, but also sand, perlite, vermiculite, or a combination of these three materials, to ensure excellent drainage.
Step 3. Select a living, healthy root of ginger
To grow ginger in a container indoors, you need a living root of the plant. You can buy one from a local nursery or a company that sells seeds. If you know a neighbor or friend who has a ginger plant, you can also ask them for a root.
- Make sure the root you choose is firm and full-bodied. The skin should be tight and have many shoots.
- Sprouts are similar to what you can find on potatoes.
Step 4. Soak the root in water overnight
Once you have ginger root, fill a small bowl with warm water. Put the root in the water and let it soak for at least eight hours.
Soaking the root helps stimulate germination; this step is especially important if you bought it in a store
Step 5. Place the root in the soil, with the shoots facing up
Once the pot is filled, plant the root. Make sure the sprouts are oriented upwards.
If you are planting more than one root, you should space them at least 6 to 8 inches apart so that they have enough room to grow
Step 6. Cover the root with soil
Once the root is planted in the pot, cover it entirely with 2.5-5cm of soil.
Step 7. Water the root well
Make sure it has enough water to grow. Fill a watering can, then use it to wet the soil well. Don't overdo it though; the water must be completely absorbed by the ground and there must be no puddles on the surface.
Part 2 of 3: Take Care of Ginger While Growing
Step 1. Place the vase in a warm area, which is not directly illuminated by the sun
To grow a healthy ginger plant, you need to place the pot in a warm area of the house. However, choose a location that doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight, as exposure to ultraviolet rays can cause the plant to turn green.
The ideal temperature for ginger is between 16 and 32 ° C. Make sure it doesn't get too cold overnight
Step 2. Lightly water the soil to keep it moist
It is important not to give the plant too much water during its growth, but the soil in which it is located must remain moist. Fill a spray bottle and use it to wet the soil every day.
If you prefer, you can gently water the soil with a watering can twice a week instead of watering it every day with the sprayer
Step 3. Add rich compost each month
To make sure the roots stay warm and to protect the plant from sun exposure, you should mix rich compost into the soil regularly. Sprinkle 8-10cm of compost over the earth once a month.
- You can purchase compost at a local nursery or garden supply store.
- Look for multipurpose or pot compost. These are usually the best options for potted plants.
Step 4. Look out for symptoms that indicate the ginger plant is in trouble
When ginger doesn't get enough water and sunlight, it shows signs of its health. Pay attention to the color and surface of the plant's leaves to correct any problems that arise.
- If the plant's leaves turn yellow, it usually gets too much water or the soil doesn't drain properly. Reduce how often you water it and check the pot's drainage holes to make sure they aren't blocked.
- If the leaves start to look dry or burnt, it usually means the plant is getting too much sunlight. Move the pot to an area more protected from sunlight and remove the affected leaves.
- If the leaf tips turn brown, it is usually a symptom that you are using too much compost or fertilizer. Apply it only once a month.
Part 3 of 3: Collect the Ginger
Step 1. Wait until the plant has grown for a few months
Ginger grows quite slowly when compared to other herbs. Two to three weeks after planting, you should start to see sprouts emerging from the ground, but they won't be ready for harvest for three to four months.
Ginger is usually ready to harvest when the stems grow to 8-13cm in height
Step 2. Dig the soil for ginger rhizomes and cut some
When you're ready to harvest, dig the soil with your fingers on the edges of the pot. Find a rhizome, which is the buried part of the plant that grows continuously, and use a small knife to cut off a piece.
Step 3. Cover the rhizome again
Once you've finished cutting off part of the plant, put the rhizome back into the soil. Make sure it is completely covered with soil so that it continues to grow.
Keep wetting the soil every day and adding compost every month to keep the plant growing
Advice
- If you plant ginger following the directions in the article, you can continue to harvest it indefinitely.
- Ginger is packed with nutrients like copper, magnesium, potassium, manganese, and vitamin B6, so it's a healthy herb to add to your favorite recipes.
- Ginger is also believed to be able to relieve stomach pain, so you can chew on some if you feel nauseous.
