Overview

Cautleya spicata is a perennial herbaceous in the genus Cautleya, part of the Zingiberaceae family. It typically grows around 1.0 m tall. Cautleya spicata grows best in full sun, and tolerates sandy and loamy soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. It is native to Himalaya.

About

Cautleya spicata is a perennial herbaceous member of the ginger family that flowers July to September. Native to the Himalaya, it typically reaches about 1.0 m. It favours full sun and a moist but well-drained sandy to loamy soil. Its H5 rating identifies it as hardy for most UK gardens.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Cautleya spicata

About the genus

Cautleya is a small genus of perennial plants of the family Zingiberaceae, found in the eastern Himalayas through to China and Vietnam. It consists of two species of high-altitude tropical and temperate plants, native to cool forest areas – an unusual habitat for members of the Zingiberaceae. They are grown as ornamental flowering plants.

Wikipedia contributors, "Cautleya", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Cautleya

In the garden

Cautleya spicata belongs to the Zingiberaceae and originates from the Himalaya. In cultivation it is grown for its summer display, reliably producing flowers between July and September and forming upright clumps to roughly 1.0 m. Give Cautleya spicata a sunny position and a soil that combines sandy and loamy textures so it can retain moisture without becoming waterlogged; the species prefers soil that is moist but well-drained. The plant's listed hardiness is H5, which means it is considered hardy in much of the UK; for gardeners using American zone guidance the equivalent range is USDA 7–10. Use it where a mid-height structural element is wanted in a border or a sunny bed that stays reasonably damp. Allowing soil to remain consistently moist through the growing season supports flowering, while well-drained rooting conditions reduce the risk of rot. Expect upright clumps to reach roughly 1.0 m and to flower from July to September.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Cautleya

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Sandy, Loamy

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Cautleya spicata size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

perennial herbaceous

Height

1.0 m

Native to

Himalaya

Frequently asked questions