Growing Ginger in Grow Bags – The Easy Way That Actually Works in Australia

If you’ve struggled to grow ginger before, trust me — you’re not alone. I’ve had years where I couldn’t find where I planted it. Other times it rotted in the wet season, or something chewed it off underground. I’d forget about it entirely, only to find shrivelled leftovers months later.

But this year? It's completely different.

I’ve finally found a method that works — and not just works, it thrives. It comes down to two things: drainage and containment. And I’ve managed both using Aussie Gardener geofabric grow bags. These things are the bomb!

Our whole backyard is turning into a grow bag paradise now. They're such great bags, hold up incredibly well, and it's super easy to create amazing soil to grow anything you want inside. Kids absolutely adore these; they can have their own little garden in a bag. My daughter has claimed several of mine for growing flowers, her passion.

We use a bunch of the geofelt grow bags, and also the 400L, huge planter bags for growing veggies and flowers:

Why Ginger Can Be Tricky in Aussie Gardens

Zingiber officinale (common culinary ginger) is a tropical plant that needs warmth, moisture, and rich soil — but not too much of it. In a typical garden bed, it’s easy for the rhizomes to rot if drainage is poor or if you get a run of heavy summer rain (which we definitely do in Queensland). It’s also slow to sprout, so you might forget where you planted it. And let’s be honest — if you’re like me, it’s easy to disturb it while digging something else nearby.

Ginger also doesn’t like to compete. If it’s surrounded by big hungry roots or aggressive plants, it sulks. So it does best when it’s got its own little patch of soft, rich, free-draining soil. It doesn't mind a lovely bunch of basil nearby though!

What Finally Worked: Grow Bags!

This season, I planted my ginger in Aussie Gardener grow bags — and honestly, I wish I tried this earlier. These geofabric bags are breathable, sturdy, and allow water to drain beautifully, even during heavy rain. No rotting rhizomes. No forgotten plants. Just healthy growth and big, happy shoots.

You can check out the grow bags I used here — I’m an affiliate, so if you order through that link, it helps support the blog at no extra cost to you. (Thanks!) You can also claim a 10% discount by using the code: AUSSIEROOTS10 in the checkout!

What I Put In the Bag

I just used store-bought organic ginger pieces. Non-organic ginger root is often treated with all sorts of nasties, some of which can stop them sprouting! Stick with a piece from a friend, organic ginger, or visit your local farmer's market to grab a piece or two.

The ginger went into the best mix I could give it:

• A good chunk of compost
• Horse and chicken manure
• A handful of organic fertiliser
• Loads of mulch (affiliate link) on top

I also tucked in a few basil plants around the edges — they seem to enjoy the same conditions, and they fill in the top space nicely while the ginger gets going below.

And the result? Take a look at these plants. Strong, lush stems, bright green leaves, and plenty of signs that the rhizomes are fattening up underneath. I use a lot of ginger in our water kefir, so I’m excited to have a fresh supply growing just outside the house.

Why Drainage Matters

Ginger likes moisture, but it hates soggy roots. If water sits around the base of the plant, especially during the hot, humid months, you’re asking for rot. These geofabric bags wick excess water away and keep the root zone aerated — much better than a heavy clay bed or a standard pot.

If you’re in a tropical or subtropical area, this is especially important. The bags have helped balance out our unpredictable wet season. My old in-ground ginger never looked like this!

A Side Note on Watermelon…

While we’re here — I’m also trialling Mountain Sweet Yellow watermelon in the same style grow bags. Normally, watermelon is a nightmare in the tropics. Powdery mildew, fruit rot, vine borers — no watermelons!

But in these bags? So far, so good.

The vines are strong, the leaves are healthy, and I’m cautiously optimistic. I’ll keep you posted, but I reckon these might be the key to finally getting a decent watermelon harvest in our climate.

Ginger Growing Tips (the Short Version)

If you want to try this setup yourself, here’s what I’d recommend:

Climate: Ginger loves warm, frost-free weather. Plant in spring once the soil’s warm and harvest late summer to early autumn.

Soil mix: Rich, fluffy, and full of organic matter. Compost, manure, and mulch (affiliate link) are your best friends here.

Position: Full sun to part shade — just keep it warm and sheltered.

Water: Keep it moist but not soggy. Let the top dry slightly between waterings.

Harvesting: You can harvest green (immature) ginger around 4–5 months in, or wait until the leaves start to yellow for mature rhizomes. I often just grab a knife and cut a piece straight out of the bag while they're still growing. Then, once the leaves die back, I'll harvest the leftovers. Don't forget to save some roots for replanting!

Containers: If you’re using a grow bag, make sure it’s at least 35L or more for a decent harvest. You can also reuse the soil mix after harvesting — just top it up with compost and replant.

Why Grow Your Own Ginger?

• Store-bought ginger is often imported, irradiated, or sprayed
• You get way more for your money growing it yourself
• You can harvest just what you need and leave the rest to keep growing
• It’s satisfying to dig it up and see all those plump golden rhizomes
• It’s a great way to grow something useful in a small space or tricky climate

Plus, fresh ginger just tastes better. It’s juicier, more aromatic, and way more alive than the dry, woody stuff you get at the shops.

Conclusion

If you’ve struggled to grow ginger before, don’t give up. Try planting it into a grow bag with good drainage and quality soil, and give it a bit of attention during the hot months. It'll appreciate some shade or protection from the hot afternoon sun in summer. Keep it contained so you know where it is, and it’ll reward you with beautiful growth and a big handful of fresh rhizomes at the end of the season.

It’s worked better for me than any in-ground bed ever has — and now I won’t grow it any other way.

Got a ginger-growing tip of your own? Or want to know more about how I prep the grow bags? Leave a comment — I’d love to hear from you!