Growing ginger at home is a satisfying experience and a practical way to access a tasty, fresh and healthy root. With basic care and the right knowledge, you can make this tropical plant thrive. in a pot.

This is how he explains it Benedict Vanheems horticulturist and organic farming expert: «Home-grown ginger tastes better and is incredibly easy to care for.» Once harvested, you can use it in the kitchen or prepare it as an infusion and take advantage of all its healthy properties.

The first thing: choose the right rhizome

Vanheems, known on social media for his practical advice, insists that homemade ginger beats the stores both in flavor and freshness.

It all starts with selecting a good piece of rhizome, the underground stem from which the plant will grow. Vanheems advises looking for rhizomes that are “swollen and plump, no wrinkles or signs of mold or rot.”

Additionally, they must present small bumps white or green, known as «eyes», from which the shoots will emerge.

A trick to improve the success of the crop is soak the rhizome in warm water overnight before planting. According to the expert, this helps eliminate possible growth inhibitors that are sometimes applied commercially to extend their shelf life.

The ideal substrate and the best pot

ginger It needs a loose, nutrient-rich soil mix. Benedict recommends using well-rotted compost mixed with materials such as bark chips to improve drainage: “An aerated but rich mixture, such as compost mixed with pine bark or other similar materials, is ideal.”

Regarding the container, Vanheems suggests avoiding deep pots and opting for those wide and shallow: “As the rhizomes grow horizontally, it is best to use a wide pot that is not too deep.” This type of container allows the plant to spread freely and encourages more abundant growth.

Light, irrigation and temperature conditions

Although it is a tropical plant, ginger can adapt to more temperate climates if given the right conditions. Vanheems indicates that “ginger thrives on heat and humidity, and if you can replicate that, you will be successful.”

The ideal is to place it in a bright place but protected from direct sun, especially in the warmer months.

In the first weeks, after sowing, irrigation should be moderate, “until the sprouts appear, to prevent the rhizome from rotting.” When the plant begins to develop, the frequency of watering can be increased, always taking care that the substrate does not become waterlogged.

Fertilizer, maintenance and harvest

As a demanding plant, ginger benefits from regular fertilization during its development. Benedict recommends using organic fertilizers or liquid extracts such as seaweed: “For optimal growth, add a liquid organic fertilizer every few weeks.”

When the rhizomes expand and fill the pot, you can divide the plant to replant it. Furthermore, during the cold months it is advisable to reduce watering and protect it from the cold if it goes into vegetative rest.

Harvesting can be done once the plant has matured, generally after a few eight or ten months.

However, it is also possible to extract small quantities without digging up the entire plant: “You can harvest little by little as you need it, leaving the rest intact to continue growing.”

A versatile plant with many rewards

One of the great advantages of growing ginger at home, in addition to the flavor, is its texture. Vanheems points out that fresh ginger does not need to be peeled: “Freshly picked ginger has such a thin skin that you can simply scrape it off with a spoon.” Furthermore, it is more juicy and aromatic, ideal for infusions, cooking and home remedies.

As the expert explains, it is not only grown for its roots. In warm climates or under controlled conditions, ginger can even flower, offering a visual and fragrant spectacle.

Benedict Vanheems assures that “you don’t need a greenhouse or specialized equipment to grow ginger; just a little bit of heat, humidity and patience.” A plant with few demands and great rewards, that anyone can enjoy from home.