Family: Zingiberaceae
Common name: Red ginger, Pine cone ginger, Ginger lily, Jungle king, Ostrich plume
Red ginger is a beautiful tropical, ornamental plant that is loved by gardeners worldwide for its plumes of bright red or pink flowers. Originating from Asia and the Pacific islands, this plant is now grown in gardens all over the world, especially in tropical countries.
Plant characteristics
These plants can grow to a height of 2-3 meters forming dense clumps of tall, upright stems that grow from fleshy rhizomes that make up the roots. The stems are green and robust enough to support the weight of the foliage and flowers.
Leaves are large, lance-shaped, glossy, and rich green like those of ginger or turmeric plants. These beautiful green leaves provide a beautiful backdrop to the bright red inflorescence. Red ginger leaves are about 50 cm in length and about 10 cm in width.
The bright red inflorescences of the Red Ginger are not the true flowers, they are just bracts that protect the small, white, tubular flowers inside.
Red or pink spikes that are about 20-30 cm long cover the plant through summer and spring, giving your garden a tropical jungle feel. These flowers are long-lasting, making them very popular in cut flower arrangements.
Red ginger plants also produce small inconspicuous capsules when the plant grows in it native habitat. But these fruits are not commonly seen in garden plants. The two most common variants are the red inflorescence one called Jungle King and the pink one called Jungle Queen.
Gardening Tips
These plants prefer filtered sunlight as bright, direct sunlight can damage the edges of leaves and flowers. Red ginger plants need a nutrient-rich, well-drained soil to flower well.
Water and fertilize regularly during the flowering season. Water logging can cause root rot. Prune spent flowers to keep the plant healthy and good looking.
Red ginger plants have some anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and are used in the treatment of headache and stomach pain. The red and pink bracts are used for making leis, and the leaves are used to make yellow dye.
Propagation
Propagation can be done easily through stem cuttings, and also through root division since the rhizomes regularly produce small plants all around the parent plant.
Photographed at: Peechi dam, Thrissur, Kerala
