About
A spreading, rhizomatous perennial with upright stems to about 1m clothed in lance-shaped leaves. Orchid-like, white, cream or yellow flowers appear from large, dark-pink buds at ground level in mid-summer. Dull green fruit follow, splitting open to reveal bright red interiors with black seeds.
About the genus
Zingiber are aromatic rhizomatous perennials with alternate, oblong leaves in two ranks, and cone-like inflorescences with overlapping, sometimes brightly coloured bracts, and 3-petalled flowers
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
Native toJapan
Care notes
CultivationGrow in rich, organic, well-drained, acid or neutral soil in sun or partial shade
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division of well-established plants in early spring, or by separating and replanting sections of rhizome 15-20cm long in spring or early summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails, scale insects and glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to fungal root rots, and a virus