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Canton Zingiber officinale

Phonetic Spelling
zing-ee-ber oh-fiss-ih-NAH-lee
Description

While it thrives in zones 9-12, you can grow this tropical plant in a container or as an annual in cooler climates.  It is known as the true ginger as it is one of the oldest known spice.  Its origin is in the tropics of Asia. It is best known by its aroma and pungent flavor.

Propagation can be accomplished by purchasing fresh ginger rhizomes in the spring and cut into short pieces, each with several healthy buds.  After the cuts have dried out for a day or two plant them just below the surface of the soil in a partially shady spot with plenty of room for the plant to grow to its mature size of 4' high X 3' wide. To avoid root rot water sparingly until the plant starts to grow, then water and fertilize regularly.  If potted, bring the plant inside before the temperatures drop below 50 degrees F. to avoid root rot in wet, cold soil. Carefully harvest several rhizomes to allow the remainder to continue to grow.

The rhizomes are brown to golden colored with a corky outer skin that can be damaged through handling.  The inside is a pale yellow and has a spicy scent.  Young rhizomes are juicy and fleshy and mild taste.  With maturity, they will dry,  become more fibrous and have a somewhat zingy taste.  

It can be grown in a variety of soil types, but does best in soil that is rich in organic matter.  Newly planted clumps will not flower for two years.  The flowers grow on a separate, leafless stem.  Container plants rarely bloom.

Some cultures used fresh or frozen rhizomes in soups and stir-fry.  Young sprouts are also edible.  Baked goods, such as gingerbread and gingersnaps are both prepared using ginger.  In the US, it is marketed in a powdered or candied form.

Used as a herbal remedy for wide range of conditions.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Cold and/or wet locations can cause root rot.  Placing plants in full sun can result in the foliage tipped with brown and poor growth.  

VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#heat tolerant#edible plant#frost tender#herbaceous#tropical perennials#herbaceous perennial#edible roots#annual herb#humidity tolerant#tropical#edible spice#vhfn#vhfn-h#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#heat tolerant#edible plant#frost tender#herbaceous#tropical perennials#herbaceous perennial#edible roots#annual herb#humidity tolerant#tropical#edible spice#vhfn#vhfn-h#annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Zingiber
    Species:
    Officinale
    Family:
    Zingiberaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Tropical Asia
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Edibility:
    Rhizomes, ginger root and young sprouts are all edible.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Flower Petals:
    more than 20 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    Cone-shaped flower spikes have a series of green or yellow bracts with translucent margins. The blooms protrude from the bracts. The inflorescence grows on a leafless stem that is separate from the foliage stem. It can take a few years before a new plant will flower.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Typically grows with one or two stems.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Edible Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat
    Humidity