About
Alpinia vittata is an upright, evergreen perennial characterized by its nearly stalkless, lanceolate leaves that are mid-green with prominent white and cream stripes. In summer, it produces clusters of pale green flowers that are encircled by pink bracts.
About the genus
Alpinia consists of evergreen perennials that grow in clusters and have rhizomes that emit a ginger aroma. The plants feature robust, slender stems that can reach heights of up to 3 meters, bearing lanceolate leaves and clusters of flowers adorned with vibrant bracts.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1A
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Native to
- SE Pacific islands
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow under heated glass in peat-free, loam-based compost with 25 percent added leaf mould and the same of composted bark. They require bright, filtered light and are more likely to thrive in a border than in a container that constricts growth
- Pruning
- Cut out flowered stems in spring
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown in heat as soon as ripe, or divide in spring
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free