About
A variety of Z. puberulum from Borneo with slight differences in stem and leaf indumentum relative to the typical form, producing two-ranked, broadly lance-shaped, softly hairy, mid-green leaves and a cone-like inflorescence of pale green bracts. A botanical curiosity for warm, humid tropical glasshouse collections.
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, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1A
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Patio and container plants
Native toMalaysia
Care notes
CultivationGrow in rich, well-drained, moisture-retentive soil in filtered sunlight and high humidity, either directly in the border of a heated greenhouse, or in a container indoors
PruningCut back old stems as they die back in the autumn
PropagationPropagate by seed or 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 glasshouse red spider mite under glass
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free