Overview
Hedychium is a clump forming, suckering conservatory greenhouse in the genus Hedychium, part of the Zingiberaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Hedychium grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H3. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, sub-tropical, bedding, conservatory and greenhouse and flower borders and beds.
About
Hedychium is a genus of flowering plants in the ginger family Zingiberaceae, native to lightly wooded habitats in Asia. There are approximately 70-80 known species, native to India, Southeast Asia, and Madagascar.
About the genus
Hedychium is a genus of flowering plants in the ginger family Zingiberaceae, native to lightly wooded habitats in Asia. There are approximately 70-80 known species, native to India, Southeast Asia, and Madagascar. Some species have become widely naturalized in other lands, and considered invasive in some places.
Wikipedia contributors, "Hedychium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Hedychium
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Hedychium
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
Hedychium size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse, Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming, Suckering
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical, Bedding, Conservatory and greenhouse, Flower borders and beds
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Hedychium
- Propagation
- Divide rhizomes in spring; sow seed at 21-24°C as soon as ripe
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and aphids under glass
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Hedychium?
Hedychium prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Hedychium need?
Hedychium is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Hedychium hardy in the UK?
Hedychium has an RHS hardiness rating of H3, meaning it is half-hardy, tolerating -5 to 1°C, and may need winter protection in colder areas.
How do I propagate Hedychium?
Divide rhizomes in spring; sow seed at 21-24°C as soon as ripe.
From the Fenn Plants journal
- Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.
More in the Hedychium genus
- Hedychium gardnerianumKahili ginger
- Hedychium spicatumspiked ginger lily
- Hedychium coccineumred ginger lily
- Hedychium densiflorumdense ginger lily
- Hedychium × raffillii of gardens 'C. P. Raffill'Ginger Lily