Can ginger survive winter indoors?

With a few techniques, ginger plants can do well indoors throughout the winter months. To avoid cold injury, bring containers inside before the temperature dips below 50°F (10°C). Indoor overwintering will allow you to keep the plants alive for multiple harvests. I have kept ginger plants alive for four winters in Chicago with these techniques.

Light management is critical on the shorter winter days. Supplement with full-spectrum grow lights and provide an additional 4-6 hours of light daily. The grow lights should be positioned 12-18 inches above the plants. Rotate your containers weekly to ensure all plants get even exposure to light. My plants, which were under lights, were producing new shoots, while others remained dormant.

Adjust irrigation cycles significantly for winter dormancy. Only water the soil when the top two inches feel dry to the touch. Reduce your frequency by 40% compared to summer. Use room-temperature water so that roots do not feel shock. Overwatering causes more winter losses than any other reason.

Watch out for indoor pests, especially spider mites, that prefer dry conditions. Check the underside of leaves every week. If you notice a pest infestation, treat it immediately with neem oil sprays. Increase air circulation using small fans. My isolation protocol involves placing new plants in isolation for two weeks before they can be integrated with other plants.

Get ready for spring transition when temperatures stabilize consistently above 55°F (13°C). Reverse the acclimatization process over at least 10-14 days. Start fertilizing plants as soon as new growth appears. My plants, which were moved outside in May, have consistently outperformed the indoor-only specimens.

Read the full article: How to Grow Ginger in Pots Successfully