Exotic Tropical Plants – Gingers – cultivation and growing information

Gingers
Cultivation and growing information

Ornamental gingers have a number of different species, and vary widely in size and growth habit. They are generally tropical plants - while some are very tropical, and will not grow outside the tropics or warm subtropics without a greenhouse, others are surprisingly cold hardy and will often grow very well outside of the tropics.

Many are grown just for their flowers, some of which are highly scented, although many are just decorative. However, there are a large number which can be grown solely as foliage plants.

CULTIVATION

Gingers are adapted to full or part sun. Plants will be shorter if grown in full sun, and taller the more shade they get. There are a few which will take deeper shade, but predominantly they like a reasonable amount of light. If grown for flowers, they will need high light, or even full sun.

Gingers have simple requirements: fertile well drained soil, warm humid temperatures and adequate water. They generally do not like frosts.

All of the eastern coast of Queensland, northern stretches of New South Wales, and most areas of humid Northern Territory and Western Australia are perfect for growing gingers. They will grow in other areas if you can provide the right microclimate and you select the right cultivars (ie some, such as the Torch Gingers, are ultra tropical and just won’t grow in the southern states).

Heavy mulching is recommended to protect the soil from drying out, and to enhance the soil organic matter. In areas where rainfall is low, additional irrigation is important.

Diseases are rare but wet feet, especially in winter, can rot the root system.

See: Gingers page 1 - Alpinia to Hedychium Gingers page 2 - Etlingera to Zingiber