Top 20 Varieties of Ginger to Grow: Tips, Advice, and Facts

Ginger is a versatile and aromatic root that has been used for centuries in cooking, medicine, and even beverages. Known for its spicy, warming flavor, ginger is widely used in both savory and sweet dishes around the world. Growing ginger at home can be incredibly rewarding, especially since fresh ginger has a more vibrant flavor compared to store-bought options. Ginger is a tropical plant that thrives in warm, humid conditions and can be grown in the ground or containers. Here’s your guide to the top 20 ginger varieties to grow, with helpful tips, fascinating facts, and answers to common questions.

Top 20 Ginger Varieties to Grow

1. Common Yellow Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Tips: Yellow ginger thrives in warm, humid environments with rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently and provide partial shade for optimal growth.
Facts: This is the most commonly cultivated ginger variety, producing thick, knobby rhizomes with a strong, spicy flavor. It’s perfect for cooking, teas, and herbal remedies.

2. White Ginger (Shoga)

Tips: White ginger prefers partial shade and rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to ensure tender, juicy rhizomes.
Facts: This Japanese variety has a milder flavor compared to yellow ginger and is often pickled for use in sushi. It’s also great for fresh cooking and garnishing.

3. Baby Ginger

Tips: Baby ginger grows best in warm, humid environments with plenty of moisture. Water consistently and provide partial shade.
Facts: This young, tender variety of ginger is harvested early and has a mild, sweet flavor with thin, edible skin. It’s perfect for fresh eating, smoothies, or pickling.

4. Blue Hawaiian Ginger

Tips: Blue Hawaiian ginger prefers full sun to partial shade and rich, moist soil. Water regularly to prevent the rhizomes from drying out.
Facts: This variety produces vibrant blue-green rhizomes with a mild, spicy flavor and aromatic scent. It’s great for fresh eating, cooking, or adding to teas.

5. Thai Ginger (Galangal)

Tips: Thai ginger grows best in partial shade with moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly and provide protection from harsh sunlight.
Facts: Also known as galangal, this variety has a sharp, peppery flavor and is a key ingredient in many Thai and Southeast Asian dishes. It matures in about 10 months.

6. Tumeric Ginger (Curcuma longa)

Tips: Tumeric ginger thrives in warm, tropical environments with rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently and provide partial shade.
Facts: This variety is known for its vibrant yellow-orange rhizomes, which have a mild, earthy flavor. It’s widely used for its health benefits and as a coloring agent in curries and teas.

7. Cardamom Ginger (Elettaria cardamomum)

Tips: Cardamom ginger grows best in partial shade with well-drained soil. Water regularly and protect from extreme heat.
Facts: This variety produces fragrant rhizomes with a sweet, spicy flavor. While the plant is better known for its seeds, the rhizomes can also be used for teas and cooking.

8. Zingiber Zerumbet (Shampoo Ginger)

Tips: Shampoo ginger thrives in warm, humid environments with moist, well-drained soil. Water consistently and provide partial shade.
Facts: This variety is named for its aromatic, soap-like sap, which is used in traditional hair and skin treatments. The rhizomes are edible but are more commonly used in herbal remedies.

9. Khing Som (Siamese Ginger)

Tips: Khing Som prefers warm, humid conditions with partial shade. Water consistently to ensure healthy growth.
Facts: This variety has a strong, spicy flavor and is commonly used in Southeast Asian cooking. It matures in about 10 months and is great for fresh eating or making sauces.

10. Torch Ginger (Etlingera elatior)

Tips: Torch ginger grows best in full sun to partial shade with rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep the rhizomes tender.
Facts: Known for its stunning flowers, torch ginger is also prized for its edible rhizomes, which have a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It’s perfect for fresh salads or garnishing dishes.

11. Giant Baby Ginger

Tips: Giant baby ginger thrives in warm, tropical environments with rich, moist soil. Water consistently to prevent drying out.
Facts: This variety produces large, tender rhizomes that are harvested early for their sweet, mild flavor. It’s perfect for fresh eating, smoothies, or pickling.

12. Jamaican Yellow Ginger

Tips: Jamaican yellow ginger prefers partial shade with rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to encourage large, tender rhizomes.
Facts: Known for its strong, spicy flavor, Jamaican yellow ginger is widely used in Caribbean cuisine and herbal remedies. It matures in about 9-10 months.

13. Bubba Baba Ginger

Tips: Bubba Baba ginger grows well in warm, tropical conditions with rich, moist soil. Water consistently to ensure tender rhizomes.
Facts: This variety produces large rhizomes with a sweet, mild flavor. It’s perfect for fresh eating, cooking, or adding to teas and smoothies.

14. Red Ginger (Alpinia purpurata)

Tips: Red ginger prefers full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. Water regularly to ensure healthy growth.
Facts: This ornamental ginger is known for its bright red flowers and mild, spicy rhizomes, which are often used in cooking and herbal remedies.

15. Yellow Hawaiian Ginger

Tips: Yellow Hawaiian ginger thrives in warm, tropical environments with rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently to prevent the rhizomes from drying out.
Facts: This variety produces bright yellow rhizomes with a sweet, spicy flavor and vibrant aroma. It’s great for fresh eating, cooking, or adding to teas.

16. Indonesian Ginger (Temulawak)

Tips: Indonesian ginger grows best in full sun to partial shade with moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly to promote healthy rhizome growth.
Facts: This variety is prized for its earthy, slightly bitter flavor and is widely used in Indonesian cuisine and herbal medicine. It matures in about 10-12 months.

17. Sand Ginger (Kaempferia galanga)

Tips: Sand ginger prefers partial shade with rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently to ensure tender, flavorful rhizomes.
Facts: Known for its small, aromatic rhizomes, sand ginger has a peppery flavor and is often used in Southeast Asian dishes. It’s also prized for its medicinal properties.

18. Chinese Ginger

Tips: Chinese ginger grows best in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. Water regularly to ensure tender rhizomes.
Facts: This variety has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and is commonly used in Chinese cooking and teas. It matures in about 9-10 months and is great for fresh use or drying.

19. Ashwagandha Ginger (Withania somnifera)

Tips: Ashwagandha ginger thrives in warm, tropical environments with rich, well-drained soil. Water consistently and provide partial shade.
Facts: While primarily known as a medicinal herb, the rhizomes of ashwagandha ginger have a mild, slightly bitter flavor and are used in traditional remedies.

20. Darcy Blue Ginger

Tips: Darcy blue ginger grows well in partial shade with rich, well-drained soil. Water regularly to promote healthy rhizome development.
Facts: This ornamental ginger produces striking blue rhizomes with a mild, slightly spicy flavor. It’s great for adding color and flavor to dishes or making herbal teas.

Common Questions About Growing Ginger

Q: When should I plant ginger?
A: Ginger should be planted in the spring when the soil has warmed to at least 68°F (20°C). Ginger grows best in warm, humid conditions and can be started indoors if the climate is cooler.

Q: Can I grow ginger in containers?
A: Yes, ginger can be grown in containers as long as the pots are at least 12 inches deep and wide, with good drainage. Use a rich, well-drained potting mix and water regularly to keep the rhizomes moist.

Q: How long does ginger take to grow?
A: Ginger typically takes 8-10 months to mature, depending on the variety. Baby ginger can be harvested earlier, around 4-6 months, while mature ginger is ready when the leaves begin to die back.

Q: How do I know when ginger is ready to harvest?
A: Ginger is ready to harvest when the leaves start to turn yellow and die back. Carefully dig up the rhizomes, rinse them off, and allow them to dry in a cool, shaded area before use.

Q: How do I store harvested ginger?
A: Fresh

ly harvested ginger can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. For longer storage, ginger can be frozen, dried, or ground into powder.