The right home for your ginger
Ginger grows horizontally: it likes space! So choose a wide pot (about 30 cm in diameter), but shallow, with good drainage holes.
For a substrate, the ideal formula is simple:
- 50% rich potting soil or homemade compost,
- 30% coconut fiber or peat,
- 20% coarse sand or perlite.
This mixture maintains moisture while preventing water stagnation, which is ginger’s number one enemy.
Light and warmth: a winning combination
This tropical plant loves the heat! Place it near a bright east-facing window or in a bright corner, out of direct sunlight.
Ideal temperature: between 20°C and 30°C.
It is best to keep it indoors in the winter, as it wilts quickly in the cold.
Watering without drowning: the golden rule
Small gestures that change everything:
- If the air is dry, spray the leaves.
- Fertilize the plant every two or three weeks with a liquid organic fertilizer.
- Remove any yellowed leaves to keep the plant in perfect condition.
When ginger becomes… ornamental!
After eight to ten months, surprise! If your plant is doing well, it may bloom. Its spike-like inflorescences in shades of yellow, red or pink release a delicate fragrance and give it an irresistible touch of exoticism . A true natural spectacle!
Harvesting and preserving: everything in a gentle way
The right time? When the leaves start to wilt. Carefully dig up part of the rhizome, cut off what you need, and cover the rest with soil: it will continue to grow.
To preserve ginger:
- Fresh, refrigerated, well wrapped in a damp cloth;
- Or dried after cutting into thin slices and leaving in the oven at a low temperature (60°C) for several hours.
This way you will always have something to flavor your meals or pickles.
And then what? We start over!
A little light, a few careful waterings and a lot of love: that’s all you need for your ginger to flourish and add a tropical touch to your everyday life .
