Zingiber officinale

Edible Ginger | Non-Native

Light: Part Shade / Afternoon Shade
Water: Moderate, keep evenly moist
Size: 2–4 ft. tall × 2–3 ft. wide
Harvest: Edible rhizomes and young shoots
Type: Tropical herbaceous perennial
Native Status: Non-native, native to tropical Asia

Grow Your Own Ginger!

The same ginger you reach for in the kitchen can be grown right in the garden! Zingiber officinale, or edible ginger, forms lush clumps of upright green foliage while developing the familiar aromatic rhizomes beneath the soil.

Ginger thrives in rich, well-drained soil with consistent moisture and afternoon shade, conditions that suit our warm growing season well. The underground rhizomes can be harvested and used fresh in everything from teas and stir-fries to baked goods and marinades. Even the tender young shoots are edible and have a milder ginger flavor.

Good to Know: This is true culinary ginger, not an ornamental ginger lily. It is a tropical plant and is hardy in roughly Zones 9–12. In colder conditions, it can also be grown in a container and protected during winter.