Whether found in the kitchens of 5 star chefs or the suburban gardening landscape, Zingiber officinale, commonly known as garden ginger, is a popular plant for many reasons. A perennial endemic to tropical Asia, ginger is often grown for its multiple uses; their aromatic fibrous rhizomes are a favorite in Asian and Indian cuisine, and have been clinically proven to relieve nausea, indigestion, bronchitis and congestion. While equally happy as an indoor windowsill plant, in an outdoor garden, or as a container plant, ginger is easily cultivated and cared for.
These perennial reed-like favorites feature sturdy leafy stems that grow to a height of about 3 to 4 feet tall. Appearing in many tropical settings worldwide, they are a handsome tropical landscaping plant that flourishes in warmer climates. The ginger plant offers a beautiful array of large, brightly colored flowers that attract insects and wildlife. A mature plant produces clusters of white and pink buds that develop into cheerful yellow flowers.
Ginger prefers a sunny location with rich, moist, well-drained soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.8 and a regular watering schedule and monthly applications of a nitrogen-rich fertilizer. They are particularly suited to pond landscaping. They grow best in warm, temperate climates, but if their rhizomes are protected, they go dormant and survive frosty temperatures. Mulch your plants when gardening in the fall, or bring your rhizomes inside when temperatures dip below freezing. Rhizomes may be dug up in the fall after their dried stalks have withered.
Whether found in the kitchens of 5 star chefs or the suburban gardening landscape, Zingiber officinale, commonly known as garden ginger, is a popular plant for many reasons.
A perennial endemic to tropical Asia, ginger is often grown for its multiple uses; their aromatic fibrous rhizomes are a favorite in Asian and Indian cuisine, and have been clinically proven to relieve nausea, indigestion, bronchitis and congestion. While equally happy as an indoor windowsill plant, in an outdoor garden, or as a container plant, ginger is easily cultivated and cared for.
These perennial reed-like favorites feature sturdy leafy stems that grow to a height of about 3 to 4 feet tall. Appearing in many tropical settings worldwide, they are a handsome tropical landscaping plant that flourishes in warmer climates.
The ginger plant offers a beautiful array of large, brightly colored flowers that attract insects and wildlife. A mature plant produces clusters of white and pink buds that develop into cheerful yellow flowers.
Ginger prefers a sunny location with rich, moist, well-drained soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.8 and a regular watering schedule and monthly applications of a nitrogen-rich fertilizer. They are particularly suited to pond landscaping. They grow best in warm, temperate climates, but if their rhizomes are protected, they go dormant and survive frosty temperatures. Mulch your plants when gardening in the fall, or bring your rhizomes inside when temperatures dip below freezing. Rhizomes may be dug up in the fall after their dried stalks have withered.
Photos via: alfredmoya
