Species shell ginger
Larg green-yellow leaves and pink-white-yellow flowers.

shell ginger

Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata'

Shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata') is an amazing plant! This striking tropical perennial is prized for its bright red, yellow, and green variegated foliage, giving it a vivid, eye-catching appearance. The foliage is also fragrant and edible, with a slight gingery flavor. In summer, it blooms with white and pink cone-shaped flowers which attract pollinators. This low-maintenance plant grows best in part-shade, making it perfect for gardens with limited sunlight. It's also very tolerant of soil moisture and makes a great landscape plant due to its long-lasting foliage. With its beauty and ease of care, shell ginger is sure to be a hit in any garden!

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Stem Propagation,Air Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

8 - 10

Flowers:

White with yellow inside lips and red throat Flowers

Sun:

part shade,part sun/part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow,white

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Tropical:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Shell ginger should be watered moderately and consistently, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. During the growing season (spring through fall), water the plants thoroughly and deeply every 7-10 days, or more often in extreme heat or drought. During the winter months, water less frequently when the plant is not actively growing. The best way to check if your shell ginger is due for water is to feel the soil for moisture prior to applying more water.

sunlight

Shell ginger is best suited for partial shade or in an area that receives indirect sunlight—ideally, about 4 to 6 hours of sunlight per day. Direct sunlight may cause the leaves to burn during hotter periods of the day. It is recommended to provide Shell Ginger with morning sunlight and some shade throughout the afternoon during the hottest hours of the day. try to keep it away from drafts, intense heat, and direct afternoon sun during the summer.

pruning

For shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata'), pruning should be done sometime between early spring and midsummer. It is best to prune the plant when it is mostly dormant or when new growth is just starting. Prune the tips of the leaves to maintain a healthy shape but also consider removing some of the old stems in order to encourage new growth. Do not remove more than 1/3 of the plant's overall growth.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Shell ginger typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and June.

Starts Flowering

Shell ginger typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and June.

Hardiness Map