Ginger: a guide from planting to harvesting

Healthy ginger is best known for its healing properties. Here you can find out everything you need to know about planting, caring for and harvesting the sharp rhizome.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is an ancient medicine and also known as a spice for thousands of years. In addition to its countless medical uses, the people of ancient Asia already knew about its circulation-enhancing effect. Ginger was considered a popular aphrodisiac and was highly valued for helping love to flourish.

Ginger is probably one of the most diverse plants in the world. The numerous medical effects almost make you believe in a miracle cure and the plant also scores with its healthy ingredients. But not only that, because ginger is also a real all-rounder in the kitchen.

Ginger: origin and properties

The great secret of the plant lies underground: the pungent, aromatic rhizome that we commonly know as ginger. Only this part of the plant is harvested. Food was seasoned with ginger as early as the Old Testament, and the plant has also been very popular in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Ginger once grew in the ancient rainforests of tropical islands. Today it is planted worldwide in the tropics and subtropics. The perennial plant looks almost a bit like grass or reeds with its fronds up to one and a half meters high. The parallel-veined leaves are arranged left and right on large, fleshy stalks that sprout directly from the rhizome. The yellowish-purple flowers appear once a year and grow directly out of the ground on their own stalk.

Buying a ginger plant: you should pay attention to this

When buying a ginger plant, don't be fooled by its German name. If you want to buy real ginger, you should Zingiber officinale Keeping an eye out. Numerous members of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) are traded under the synonym “ginger”. The species hides behind the red ginger, for example Alpinia purpurata with their beautiful decorative flowers. Also the torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) is related to ginger, but more of a cut flower than a well-known kitchen spice.

If you want to grow ginger yourself, you should make sure you choose the right root. In principle, the replica works with all roots, but there are some differences. In order to be sure that the ginger rhizome has not been treated with a growth-inhibiting substance, it is advisable to buy an organically grown ginger root. In the best case, it is nice and smooth and fresh.

plant ginger

You can use the tropical plant as edible houseplant bring them home and grow fresh ginger themselves. All you need is a large flowerpot, a high-quality soil like ours Plantura organic universal soil and a piece of ginger about four centimeters long. Place the ginger about two inches deep in the soil and then cover it again. Now it's time to keep the soil moist and warm. After a few weeks, with a bit of luck, the first shoot will appear. Now it's time to move the plant to as sunny a spot as possible so it will produce large, fresh rhizomes that you can harvest in the fall.

A detailed guide on the topic “plant ginger" you'll find here.

care for ginger

The most important thing for the ginger plant is actually a lot of sun from the first moment. So give the plant the sunniest spot you can find. Ginger also likes to be outside in summer, as long as the temperature never falls below 12 °C.

Pour ginger

Always keep the ginger moist. Nevertheless, the pot should have a drainage hole to prevent waterlogging, as this quickly leads to rotting of the rhizome and roots. You should only use low-lime water for watering. If your tap water has a high lime content, then collected rainwater offers a good alternative. As soon as the above-ground shoots begin to die off in autumn, you should slowly stop watering and leave them alone over the winter. Only in the spring from February is pouring announced again.

Cut ginger

Ginger does not need to be cut. The plant only develops annual shoots anyway, which turn yellow and die off in autumn. You can only remove them when they have completely dried up - or when you harvest them.

Fertilize ginger

It is best to mix a portion of slow-release fertilizer under the soil in spring. In this way, the ginger is optimally supplied with nutrients until autumn. A second dose in early summer strengthens the plant even more. Our Plantura organic universal fertilizer with an organic long-term effect is ideally suited for this. Alternatively, you can also add compost.

multiply ginger

Propagating ginger is extremely easy. If you have harvested the root in autumn, you can cut the part that you do not want to use directly in the kitchen into pieces about four centimeters long. You should divide these into several pots and overwinter them in a dry place at around 10 °C. In the spring, with the right care, a new ginger plant will grow from each of the individual pieces.

Harvest ginger

You can harvest your home-grown ginger in autumn from October. The plant will clearly show you the right time by starting to pull back its leaves. They turn yellow and gradually dry up. Shortly before this comes your mission. Simply dig up the rhizome from the ground. If you also want to harvest ginger next year, you should leave part of the rhizome in the ground. You can now remove and process the rest.

All details for Harvest of ginger you'll find here.

Preserve and store ginger

Depending on your preference, you have a variety of options for preserving ginger. Whether dried and grated as a ginger spice or tea, candied with sugar or marinated in syrup or vinegar - it's entirely up to you. Freezing yourself is an option.

As Properly preserve ginger, find out here.

Ginger: ingredients and uses

Ginger has so many beneficial ingredients that it's easy to get lost. Gingerole deserves special attention. Together with the Shoagoles, they ensure that the ginger is hot and are responsible for countless medicinal uses of the plant. The medical effectiveness has been known to people for thousands of years and ginger was cultivated for this purpose in Europe as early as the Middle Ages. But ginger is also very popular as a spice or even food. In England in particular, dishes such as ginger jam or candied ginger are known as a special treat.

tip: The numerous minerals such as iron, magnesium and calcium, which the root of the ginger combines, are also welcome. Even vitamin C is not neglected.

Healing effect of ginger against cough, diarrhea and Co.

Ginger is one of the most important spices in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. Even in the Middle Ages, ginger was used successfully against numerous ailments. With its countless modes of action, it is a true miracle cure.

How is ginger used as a medicinal plant?

• Cold: Ginger contains anti-inflammatory substances. One of the best-known and simplest applications is therefore the tried and tested ginger tea with honey for coughs, sore throats and colds.
• Stomach and intestines: Ginger has a very positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Stomach complaints and nausea are alleviated, digestion is promoted. Ginger can also help against motion sickness.
• Circulation stimulation: With its effect on the blood circulation, ginger has a stimulating effect on the circulation. Due to the blood circulation-promoting effect of ginger, it is also considered an aphrodisiac.
• Pain Relief: The ingredient gingerol is similar to acetylsalicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin. A good piece of freshly grated ginger in a fruit juice is therefore also effective against headaches. If you are not a fan of fresh ginger, you can of course also prepare a ginger tea.
• Anti-carcinogenic effect: Ginger has an antioxidant effect and can bind free radicals. It has been proven that it can prevent cancer or be used alongside cancer therapy.

notice: However, caution is advised for pregnant women. While ginger still has a positive effect against nausea in early pregnancy, excessive amounts can trigger labor later on.