Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →. Cut off the section of the eye and plant it one inch deep into the soil. Native to Southeast Asia, the flowering Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) is prized for its … Zingiber officinale is an herbaceous perennial and its tuberous roots are the common ginger we use everyday. The flower is a cone. Starr shares her passion for nature in her writing, publishing articles on horticulture, outdoor recreation, travel as well as business. Fresh ginger is indispensable, as a flavour in cooking and as a herbal tonic. In cooler regions of the hardiness zone, this ginger may die back in the winter. Curcuma longa Curcuma longa is another edible ginger commonly called turmeric. GINGER EDIBLE. I don’t just like them, because lets face it, what’s not to like. Wild ginger. Some of the more common genus names you are likely to see in the nursery trade include Alpinia, Costus, Hedychium, and Zingiber (which includes the edible culinary ginger). Some gingers and turmerics are edible and within that group flowering may occur. Rhizomes that originate from the same hemisphere would be ready to plant and sprout in late spring, but rhizomes from the opposite hemisphere may take a few weeks longer than their counterparts to sprout. Ginger plants. Ornamental gingers: pink cultivar of red ginger, Alpinia purpurata, (L), shell ginger, Alpinia zerumbet (RC), Khalili ginger, Hedychium gardnerianum (C), shampoo or beehive ginger, Zingiber … Mature clumps will produce small green cones and cream colored flowers on a separate leafless stalk. Once dormant, the entire pot can be stored in a cool dry place over winter. Zingiber officinale is hardy to USDA Zone 8 and I recommend growing them in the ground for anyone that has space. Making Ginger Root Edible Ginger root is used as a herbal remedy for a wide range of conditions such as nausea, vomiting, coughs, spasms, general pain, indigestion, colic, abdominal chills, colds, influenza… Once a rhizome is cut for spice, the remaining piece should be refrigerated to prevent rotting (this is assuming that it will eventually be eaten). This ginger grows to height of four feet, prefers growing in partial sun, likes a well-drained soil and is hardy in USDA zones 8 through 12. The edible ginger plant (Zingiber officinale) is also known as ginger root, Chinese ginger or common ginger. The tubers are used as you would common ginger and it has the same growing requirements. Fresh ginger has become very popular and is available in most any grocery store. Consider growing ginger … All Rights Reserved. Zingiber officinale. If you are lucky, you have access to blue Hawaiian ginger, … The standard ginger root you find in the supermarket is Zingiber officinale. “The very last thing you do after you have a meal of all these things,” … The blooms on this species are not very attractive, and it shouldn’t be grown solely as an ornamental given the other options available. When selecting a rhizome (the “ginger root”), look for the largest and fullest piece available. The leaves are long and green, but there are cultivars of this ginger that have variegated leaves. Ginger has long been … It is best to let your ginger grow for at least one full season before harvesting. It is the most popularly used, but other species of ginger produce edible roots too. Z. parishii ‘Lemon Lights’ grows to about 1.5m (5′) and has bright lemon yellow bracts. Hidden gingers can vary in size from small to quite large. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Ginger thrives in zones 7 and higher. Common ginger (Zingiber officinale) is hardy in zones 9-12, but a few other varieties of ginger are hardy down to zone 7. The deep red bracts wrap around a bright yellow flower that can be thinly sliced and added to salads, it has a spicy ginger flavour with citrus … Edible Gingers Many of the ornamental varieties are edible in certain ways. As a spice plant it is very easy and productive. Answer: Zingiber officinale is the edible ginger commonly used in cooking. Most people new to gingers in general are not sure how to go about starting their own gingers from store bought rhizomes, so hopefully this will make it easy for you. Gingers are tropical plants that thrive in the subtropical and tropical regions of the U.S. Their foliage and flowers can add flare to an otherwise boring landscape. Send us your questions or comments and we will email you back shortly. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! When they become aware of “ornamental” gingers the inevitable questions are asked: “Are all gingers edible?” and “How do I grow my own edible ginger.” Of course there are several other questions that usually go along with these, and hopefully all are answered within this article. [...], In order to help people get the most out of[...]. Some … This should be your first choice if available, if not any good looking piece will do. When a recipe calls for "ginger," it is this ginger. The sprouting time varies tremendously, so just keep the soil slightly moist until you see growth. Torch Ginger. Growing to a height of three feet, its leaves are deep green, lush and grow to a width of approximately five inches. Alpinia galangal is a taller ginger and is quite hardy. For those that must grow in containers, a rich well drained potting soil will work fine. Once a clump or two are established, you will have more fresh edible ginger than you most likely be able to use! The leaves are green, narrow and the flowers are barely noticeable. The flower spike is six to eight … Curcuma longa is another edible ginger commonly called turmeric. To answer the first question, No not all gingers are edible, and only one species out of over a thousand produces the rhizomes that are the tradition edible ginger (Zingiber officinale). To answer the first question, No not all gingers are edible, and only one species out of over a thousand produces the rhizomes that are the tradition edible ginger (Zingiber officinale). Mine never flowers, but it makes a bold, dark green tropical clump, and the roots are potent and sweet. The same genus that produces the edible rhizome galangal also produces some of the most widely grown and stunning varieties of ornamental gingers. I mean, really addicted. Varieties of Gingers for the 2018 Sale Baby Ginger, Turmeric Varieties of Gingers for Southeast Texas Baby Ginger: This ginger it has the same great flavor for cooking as the rhizomes usually found in … Hawaii does not produce enough ginger to meet U.S. demand, however. They do prefer to be watered often. Member $9.95. Varieties of Flowering Ginger . Peacock gingers are often used as a groundcover. The varieties of ginger most often sold in grocery stores in the U.S. are usually called Chinese ginger or common ginger, and they are usually imported from India and China. When you hear the word "ginger," you probably think of the flavorful root used as a spice in many varieties of Asian cuisine. Not only are the rhizomes of common ginger edible… There’s something that I have to admit to you. Use the root to propagate plants. And butterfly gingers are often … Edible Ginger. Originating in Asia, this ginger is now cultivated and used throughout the world. Hopefully this article has covered the basics for growing your own edible ginger from store bought rhizomes. Zingiber officinale is an herbaceous perennial and its tuberous roots are the common ginger we use everyday. These ginger plants have narrow-bladed leaves and grow up to 4 feet tall by 3 feet … One usually can’t be sure where their rhizome came from. Many Thai recipes use Alpinia galangal roots for seasoning, as it can be used like other edible gingers. This ginger has been found to work well for persons suffering from motion sickness. Common ginger, also called culinary ginger, is one of the most popular edible types. While common ginger needs about 8-10 months of active growth to … Shampoo … For over 25 years, Joyce Starr has owned businesses dealing with landscape & design, lawn maintenance, specialty herbs and a garden center. Ginger is produced around the world and imported into the United States. Gingers not only spruce up the garden, but many are edible. It will grow well in partial sun conditions and as the other gingers, prefers a soil that drains very well. Hailing from Brazil, China, Thailand and Central America, yellow ginger root rules the produce section at U.S. grocery stores. Ornamental varieties are grown for their showy flowers and foliage. Often these rhizomes will actually already be sprouting, or have swollen “eyes” on them. … These alternatives are nothing like the true edible ginger. As with all gingers, propagate Alpinia galangal by planting a nodule from its root. The edible ginger, Zingiber officinale, has narrow leaf blades … Natural rain will not hurt them, but one should cut off hand watering to stimulate the natural dormancy process. This ginger will give you spectacular blooms. Rhizomes that are being stored for replanting should not be refrigerated. Once the cooler temps of late fall have arrived, let the plants dry out. Curcuma longa is another edible ginger commonly called turmeric. Edible ginger root can be bought fresh by the pound, or in a powdered or candied form. Some people prefer to store everything inside and use the rhizomes as needed, replanting all of the leftovers in spring. The leaves are long and narrow. There are many varieties of inedible gingers that are grown for the foliage and flowers. Despite its less than ornamental appearance, this species of ginger is a very easy and rewarding plant. The flowering ginger family, Zingiberaceae, is a diverse group including some 47 genera and more than 1,000 species. The rhizome (root) of the plant … Select a firm ginger root that has several nodules on it (eyes). This is important to understand in that the rhizome could have just gone dormant in its country of origin, or it may be at the end of its dormancy and be ready to sprout. Given the ease of growing edible ginger, I highly recommend getting and growing the real thing. Some people insist on trying anything and use various Hedychium spp and hybrids (Butterfly Gingers). It is not uncommon for it to take several weeks for rhizomes to sprout, so be patient. GINGER EDIBLE. How to Grow Ginger Zones. Rhizomes should be laid flat and covered with an inch of soil. There are other types of ornamental ginger varieties that produce beautiful flowers, but the edible/common ginger produces only leaves. Gingers are tropical plants that thrive in the subtropical and tropical regions of the U.S. Their foliage and flowers can add flare to an otherwise boring landscape. Plants grown in pots can be moved under cover and left to dry out and go dormant. Edible ginger (Zingiber officinale) is grown easily by soaking a rhizome from the grocery store in warm water overnight. One can dig plants from the ground and treat them the same way. Edible Yellow Ginger Root (Zingiber officinale) Edible Yellow Ginger Root adds flavor and zing to many delicious culinary dishes. I’m addicted to ginger plants. Red Tower Ginger is ornamental and has edible flowers. It can also be grown throughout Florida. Non-Member $12.95. Turmeric is the spice used in mustard to make it yellow. Other Names: Pinecone Ginger, Itter Ginger, Broad-leaved Ginger, Martinique Ginger,… It grows about 30-100 cm in height. A layer of mulch over the bed is usually not even necessary in most areas, but certainly wouldn’t hurt. Most people new to ornamental gingers associate the term ginger only with the edible ginger they buy in grocery stores (Zingiber officinale). As with Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa is easy to grow and is quite a bit showier in the landscape. For example, butterfly ginger (Hedychium coronarium) is reported to have edible roots and blooms. I will be updating this article periodically, with some photos and other information coming on the next update. No, I’m truly obsessed with them. Pineapple ginger. The spicy fragrances, the wide variety of flower forms and colors, the delicious edible … It prefers a rich well drained soil and can be fertilized with an all purpose fertilizer such as a 20-20-20. Moth Ginger. Plants grown in the ground are of course the easiest to take care of. Once established they will adapt to your climate after the first season. As with Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa is easy to grow and is quite a bit showier in the landscape. Hedychium coronarium ‘Luna Moth’ ID: The perfumed white flowers on this compact clumping plant look like moths … Picking ten gingers out of almost 2000 is easy, naming[...], As articles are completed they can be selected to view. Pickled ginger root is a staple when eating sushi. These … The roots are used in many cuisines and nothing beats the smell of ginger cookies baking in the oven. Zingiber officinale grows to about 3 feet tall in medium to full sun. Blue ginger … Edible members of this family include ginger, cardamom, turmeric and galangal, but here we introduce the flowering ones, which offer so much more than a tropical splash of lush green foliage. It can grow to a height of seven feet and has small white blooms that are hardly noticeable. The tubers are used as you would common ginger and it has the same growing requirements. Hawaii is unique among the 50 U.S. states in that commercial production of ginger root takes place there 1. This ginger will die back when winter arrives, but the tubers will sprout again in springtime. There's a ginger to fit any part of your landscape. It bears its flowers in a waxy, pyramid-like cone of red bracts and grows to around 2m (6′) high. She holds certificates in landscape design and xeriscaping. I recommend starting rhizomes in pots regardless, then planting them in the ground once they have sprouted. Botanical Name: Zingiber zerumbet. The rhizomes can also be lifted, washed, dried, and stored indoors as well. The flavor resembles common edible ginger, but it’s even sharper and more fragrant. Flowering members of the Alpinia … Zingiber officinale or known for various common names such as Ginger, Common Ginger, Cooking Ginger, Canton, Stem Ginger, and Canton Ginger is a perennial herb with swollen underground stems or rhizome, usually about 1.5-2.5 cm thick. For edible gingers, availability … I recommend that you buy at least a few rhizomes to insure that you have two clumps growing, and alternate which clump you harvest from at the end of the year. It will sprout again in the springtime. Older rhizomes are often dehydrated and have a wrinkled appearance, avoid these. Covered the basics for growing your own edible ginger they buy in grocery (! In size from small to quite large as needed, replanting all of Hardiness... Grocery stores ( Zingiber officinale ) medium to full sun buy in grocery (. 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