The most commonly used portion of Galanga or galangal, a plant in the ginger family is the rhyzome – or mass of roots Rhizomes, used as spice are harvested usually done in 3-4 months, more than that they turn fibrous and spongy For essential oil extraction, rhizomes are harvested when plants are about seven months old. The plant requires sunny or moderately shady locations with fertile moist soil preferably sandy or clayey, rich in organic matter with good drainage For some medicinal preparations, rhizomes are harvested after 15 months, when the rhizomes become woody and fibrous. Harvested rhizomes are washed, trimmed, dried and packed. Usually it is cultivated in hill stations in Kerala/India.