For the first week? Nothing. And I mean nothing. You will check it every day. You will sigh. You will think, “I killed it.” You didn’t. Ginger is just dramatic and slow.
Then, one morning, you’ll see a tiny white root tip poking out. And maybe a little green nub on top. You will feel a ridiculous burst of pride. It’s okay. I felt it too.
Change the water every 2-3 days. If it gets cloudy, change it sooner. Ginger likes fresh drinks, not swamp water.
Step 4: Roots get real
After a few weeks, you’ll have a tangle of white roots. They look like little worms. And the top will sprout tall, tropical-looking stalks. Yes, those are ginger leaves. They smell amazing when you crush them.
At this point, you have a decision. You can keep it in water forever—like a cool houseplant. It will live, but it won’t produce much new root ginger. It’s basically a spa vacation for the original piece.
Or, you can move it to soil. That’s where the real magic happens. But that’s a whole other coffee chat.
Ginger Root In Water at Ruth Leet blog
