Wild Ginger is a clumping perennial that has reed-like stems and is native to tropical Asia. Liking a moist environment, it can be found growing in the wild near rivers, waterfalls and other water sources. It is commonly grown as a houseplant or it does well in a container that can be brought indoors over the winter as it is not very frost tolerant. Completely dormant in winter, it needs to be kept dry while dormant. When growing in the ground in northern climates, remove from the soil and store in a paper bag and keep dry. Adding potting soil or sawdust to the paper bag will insure no moisture will be present. Near the end of its growing season, the flowers emerge from the ground. Starting out as a lime green cone shape. Small blossoms emerge from between the green flower bracts. After flowering, the bracts become a showy shade of red. If harvesting for use as a shampoo, this is the time that a slippery liquid is exuded from the flowers. This liquid has a soapy feeling and a ginger scent. The trunk of this plant is formed by tightly packed overlapping leaf sheaths. These fleshy pseudostems contain mostly water, but are sturdy. Its leaves are used as a food wrap that will help keep fish moist while adding the flavor of ginger to the food. The oils from the rhizome is used in making perfumed soaps and other toilet articles. Ground into a powder, the dried rhizome is used as a perfume. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Typically free from diseases and pests. Occasionally, whitefly and cardamom root grub can cause problems. Spreading by rhizomes, this plant can become weedy. More information on Zingiber .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Moist
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal
Mature size
Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Clumping
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Sheath
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Edible; Fragrant; Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves grow from a rhizome or underground stem. They have a central raised midrib on the upper surface and prominent midrib on the underside.
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Green
Flower value
Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower size
3-6 inches
Flower detail
Cone-shaped inflorescence makes a great addition in flower arrangements.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
White
Fruit size
< 1 inch long
Fruit detail
The white fruits is smooth and thin-walled. The seeds produced are black ellipsoids.
Stem detail
Reed-like erect stems.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Tropical Asia
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Colorful; Fragrance; Shade
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves; Flowers; Shoots
Edibility
The rhizome can be used as a food flavoring. The leaves and shoots are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. Young flower spikes (without the bracts) can be eaten raw or cooked.
Uses (ethnobotany)
Rhizome is used in tradional Asian cultures for food and medicine.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants; Patio; Woodland
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Cutting Garden; Edible Garden; Rain Garden; Shade Garden; Water Garden