ABOUT ALPINIA ZERUMBET VARIEGATA

Alpinia zerumbet, commonly called shell ginger is native to eastern Asia. It is a rhizomatous, evergreen perennial that grows in upright clumps to 8-10’ tall. It more typically reaches 4-8’ tall in the greenhouse and 3-4’ tall as a houseplant. It is commonly called shell ginger because its individual shell pink flowers, particularly when in bud, resemble sea shells and its rhizomes have a ginger-like aroma. It is distinguished from other members of the ginger family by the fact that its flowers droop from the ends of leafy stems rather than rise directly from plant rhizomes. Waxy, light pink flower buds open to tubular flowers with yellow inside lips and red throats. Flowers are fragrant. Flowers appear in drooping racemes (to 1’ long) in summer. Lance-shaped green leaves to 2’ long and 5” wide.
‘Variegata’, as the name suggests, features variegated foliage. Dark green leaves have attractive yellow stripes. Fragrant pink-tinged flowers bloom in summer.Alpinia zerumbet is best grown in rich medium-wet, to wet well drained soils in full sun to part shade. Afternoon shade in hot summer climates, is recommended. Indoors, the plant must have bright light and humid conditions. Flowering rarely occurs before the second year.

DESCRIPTION: Large, upright subtropical understory plant with large variegated foliage striped green and gold; and pink and white bicolour shell-like flowers.

USE IN: Plant as a showy feature for tropical style gardens. Keep as a container plant in cooler climates, moving pots to a sheltered location through winter.

LOCATION: Plant in free draining soil in a full sun to part shade location. Prefers a position protected from harsh afternoon sun and frost.

CARE: Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established, usually around 12 weeks. Water regularly during dry periods. Prune stems to the ground if plants become untidy, new shoots will replace those removed. Fertilise regularly using an organic liquid fertiliser for lush new growth.

HEIGHT & WIDTH: 2-3 m H x 2 m W.