I had my doubts about buying live plants off Amazon but I was pleasantly surprised with this ginger. I received four separate pieces of ginger, all in good condition with a few nubs starting which showed that they were alive and ready to be planted. I planted them and watered them just like the directions said and in two weeks I had the first showing of two little shoots of ginger. Two months later they are all tall and green with lots of leaves. They kind of look like bamboo.Very happy with this purchase and I would definitely buy more from this company.Update: I was so impressed with this fresh garden ginger that I ordered more for myself, my daughter and my daughter in law.. only to find ALL of it was shriveled and starting to mold. How disappointing! ?