To sprout ginger, you need fresh, unpeeled ginger root. Look for a piece that is plump and firm with tight skin. The older the ginger, the harder it will be to sprout. Try to find a piece with a few bumps or knobs on it as these are where the sprouts will emerge.
Soak the ginger root in room temperature water for at least 12 hours. This will help to activate the ginger and make it easier to sprout. You can soak it overnight, or for up to 24 hours if you want. This will help to soften the outer layer and activate the growth.
Choose a pot that is at least 12 inches deep and fill it with well-draining potting soil. Make sure the soil is loose and airy to help the roots grow. Ginger likes rich, well-draining soil, so choose a high-quality potting mix that contains organic matter like compost.
Plant the ginger root with the eye buds facing up, about 2 inches deep in the soil. If you're using a smaller pot, plant only one root, but if you're using a larger pot, you can plant multiple roots with a few inches of space in between.
Water the ginger root thoroughly and place the pot in a warm, humid spot with indirect sunlight. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Ginger likes moist soil, but it will rot if it sits in water for too long. Water the ginger whenever the soil feels dry.
Ginger likes warm temperatures, so keep the pot in a warm, sunny spot in your home. A temperature range of 68-77°F (20-25°C) is ideal. You can also cover the pot with plastic wrap to create a mini greenhouse and help keep the soil moist.
Within a few weeks, you should start to see sprouts emerging from the soil. Water the ginger regularly, making sure not to let the soil dry out completely. After 4-6 weeks, you can start to fertilize the ginger plant with a balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks.
Provide Adequate Light. Ginger needs indirect sunlight to grow, so place the pot in a bright location, but not in direct sunlight. Ginger grows best under dappled sunshine. Your ginger plant must receive the right quantity of sunlight to develop and spread.
As the ginger grows, continue to water it regularly and fertilize it every few months with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. Ginger can take up to 10 months to mature, so be patient and enjoy the process of watching it grow!
Ginger takes about 8-10 months to mature and be ready for harvest. You can harvest small amounts of the root after 3-4 months by carefully digging around the root without disturbing the plant.