The Red Ginger Plant Gives All Year Round Blooms
Alpinia Purpurata for Glossy Green Leaves and Showy Flowers
Sep 18, 2009
The Red Ginger plant is native to Malaysia and is widely grown in tropical hot countries. It also flourishes in Hawaii and Puerto Rico and from these bases it is shipped all over the U.S. Regardless of zones it will grow in glasshouses and conservatories provided a constant temperature of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit is maintained. It will not tolerate cold and frost and with the exception of perhaps zones 10 or 11 it is not a hardy plant.
Botanical and Common names of Red Ginger
The botanical name of Red Ginger is Alpinia purpurata and it belongs to the family Zingiberaceae or Ginger family. It has many more common names such as Red Ginger, Pink Cone Ginger, Jungle King, Jungle Queen, Ostrich Plume and in Thailand it is called Khing Daeng.
Growing a Red Ginger Plant
Red Ginger plants are tropical evergreen perennial plants and they thrive in humid conditions and will grow to 6-8ft. in the norm and up to 15ft. occasionally.
- Red Ginger plants are grown from an underground rhizome. Place the rhizome on its side with any growing tips facing upwards. Barely cover the rhizome with soil taking care not to damage the tips.
- In the absence of tips check that the rhizome is firm, not rock solid and certainly not squishy. The flesh should yield to the touch and fill out once the pressure is released.
- Plant the rhizome in a one-gallon pot. Once growth has begun the Red Ginger plants grow quickly so transplant from the initial pot to a large permanent pot after about 6 weeks.
- Alpinia purpurata likes to have moist well drained soil. These plants can get thirsty during the hot season so daily watering is required.
- A neutral soil, that is a soil with a pH of 6 – 6.5 is ideal.
- Full sun and brightness is preferred but they will also do well in partial shade.
- Fertilize with a soluble, phosphorous rich fertilizer after flowering.
Flowers and Foliage of the Red Ginger Plant
The Red Ginger plant has long shiny green leaves and they look a lot like the leaves of Strelitzia or Bird of Paradise plant but unlike the Strelitzia they will not tolerate drought with the same fortitude. They will wilt and suffer if the soil is allowed to dry out and this suffering will be most evident in the quality and quantity of blooms. The flowers of the Red Ginger plant are very impressive and vibrant in shades of red, pink and creamy white. Even though Red Ginger grows quickly it may take a few years before the first bloom appears but once this happens it will bloom almost continuously.
- Alpinia purpurata is red as in the familiar Red Ginger.
- Jungle King is also the same red.
- Jungle Queen is pink.
- Tomi Pink Ginger is a delicate pink with almost white tips but Blue Berry Ginger is not blue at all. Its flowers are also pink but the leaves are striking with their green front and purple underside. Blue Berry Ginger, which grows about 6ft tall, makes an ideal focal plant.
Red Ginger plants are rarely bothered by pests. Occasionally check the leaves for mealy bugs and fungus. If bugs are found scrape them away and wash the leaves with neem oil. If fungus is found spray the leaves with a fungicide and ease off on watering the leaves, water the soil only. Prune the plant to keep it in check. Cut away the leaves and stalks right back to the butt.
Cut Flowers Arrangements with Red Ginger
Red Ginger flowers make a striking presence in any tropical flower arrangement and will last a particularly long time if some ascorbic acid is added to the water. The long shiny leaves add a lush backdrop to the display and will last for 3 weeks or more as long as they are not placed in direct sunlight.
Combining Red Ginger with Strelitzia and Heliconia adds a tropical focal point to all gardens and allows for spectacular cut flower arrangements.
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