Do you love seashells, especially the oval, white, translucent kind, especially those with pink color hidden inside? Do you know you can grow that look in your garden with shell ginger and it’s shell like blooms?
This is shell ginger with that translucent look. They come one after the other, dripping down a string of pink-lined ovals. Then there is another branch of big pearlescent beauties, and more to follow.
Shell Ginger –Alpinia zerumbet is a beautiful, tropical plant known for its soft, drooping clusters of white and pink flowers, which will make you feel like you’re on the beach even if you’re not.
We also love this perennial shrub for its lush, lance-shaped leaves, some varieties of which are variegated with striking patterns. If you are an indoor gardener, you can enjoy this ginger as a house plant. You may not see the blooms on this plant, which blooms not on new but on old growth. The foliage is tropical and charming, with green and variegated options. You can see below that it is a popular house or garden foliage plant without flowers.
Shell Ginger
How Shell Ginger Got Its Name
The waxy, funnel-shaped flowers are a pearly white tinged with light pink on the outside, but inside, they are bright yellow with pink/red markings. It is the appearance of the flowers which resemble pearlescent seashells, especially when in bud, that inspired the common name of shell ginger. These blooms are special. When we walk by some in the garden, we can’t help but touch them.
Where We Found Shell Ginger
Shell ginger is native to tropical areas of East Asia where it grows in open areas of woodlands. It is found in India, Japan, south to Figi, the Solomon Islands, and Australia. There are places, for example, South Africa and Cuba where it is considered a noxious weed or invasive.
How Did We Get It?
In some cases we know who found the plant, and even what wooden ship he brought it home on. For shell ginger we do know the gardener who first drew a picture of it and gave it a name. Johann Christoph Wendland (1755-1828). Many of the early plant hunters were botanists or physicians who were associated with universities. Wendland, was a refreshing story, being an everyday gardener like the rest of us, and the father and grandfather of professional gardeners. He was also a botanist and an illustrator who depicted plants in paintings we can use today.
This is not one of his illustrations, but it is a contemporary painting of the plant being
created in 1808. Today we collect these paintings because we find them beautiful and interesting. But they had a utilitarian purpose. Before photography, they detailed all the parts of the plant and identified something new for the garden. They also identified plants for their medicinal and culinary uses. The drawings were used by physicians, pharmacists, scientists, taxonomists, and gardeners.
Varieties of Shell Ginger You Can Choose From
Shell Ginger Important Note to Remember When Shopping
Shell ginger blooms on its old growth. This means that you will have beautiful foliage but no blooms on plants you grow as annuals or store over the winter. You may want to choose a variegated variety or one whose leaves bring a helpful color or shape to your plant collection.
A handsome variety with cream yellow variegations.
- Variegata: The most common cultivar of shell ginger, with green and yellow variegated foliage. It can grow up to 6 ft tall and can be grown in full sun or partial shade.
- Variegata Dwarf: A smaller cultivar that grows to about 1 ft tall, with the same green and yellow variegated foliage as the Variegata. Regular shell ginger takes up a lot of space.
- Variegata Chinese Beauty: A cultivar with light green and dark green marbled foliage that can grow up to 8 ft tall.
- Hawaiian Punch: A cultivar that enhances tropical garden aesthetics.
- Lemon-Lime: A cultivar that enhances tropical garden aesthetics.
- Cream Shell Ginger: A hardy, cold-tolerant cultivar that produces large cream-colored flowers
If your interest is in tropical foliage plants this will give you more options.
How to Grow Shell Ginger With Its Seashell-Like Blooms
Grow shell ginger in your garden in USDA hardiness zones 8-11. Find a spot with partial shade. In our zone 10 garden, the plant is only lightly shaded by open-form plumeria trees and grows with vigor. Morning sunlight is fine; avoid a place with a full day of sun.
From the University of Wisconsin some advice on growing.
In the Garden, Appearance and Use
In your garden, the tropical plant will create a large, dense and green area of tropical foliage. It will serve you as a hedge, a green focial point, or a privacy screen.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Images
When to Plant Your Shell Ginger
The best time to plant your young-shell ginger plant in the spring after any chance of frost has passed. If using multiple plants about 3-4 feet apart. This will allow room for their full shape and spread. The plant can reach 8-10′ in height and can make a dense and ornamental privacy barrier. In our garden, we do cut it back about one time during the year.
You can plant either the actual rhizome or a small plant. You will find that it will grow, quickly. If planting the rhizome put it about two to three inches deep into the soil.
The Best Soil For Your Shell Ginger
The plant will perform best for you if the soil drains well and is fertile. You can improve your soil with compost or organic matter. The best pH for shell ginger is slightly acid to neutral. When you test it should be about 6.1-7. (A pH of 7 is perfectly neutral.)
Growing Shell Ginger as a House Plant
Your plant can grow to be a large house plant, reaching three to four feet tall. Keep it in bright, indirect light. Direct sun in either morning or afternoon, just check for any leaf scorch.
Keep your soil moist but never soggy. Check for when the top quarter of the soil is dry; about every two to three days. The plant appreciates humidity; consider using a mister to keep the environment comfortable.
Fertilizer, Pruning or Pests
During spring or summer fertilize your ginger with a houseplant fertilizer. Prune the plant as you need to keep the plant to the size you need. (Always prune any plants to the one-third rule. Never remove more than one-third of the plant. The most common pest for this plant are spider mites. You can treat them with insecticidal oils.
Keeping Plants Over Winter
If you use the plant in colder climates than zone 8 as an annual for its attractive foliage you can dig up the rhizomes and store them in a dry place at about 55 degrees
This is a detailed study of the plant you may find helpful.
Summary,
Shell Ginger (Alpinia zerumbet) is a versatile and ornamental plant known for its beautiful, drooping clusters of white and pink flowers that make us think of seashells. When choosing Shell Ginger for your garden or as a houseplant, consider its light and soil requirements. This tropical plant thrives in partial shade, ideal for many garden spots or indoor locations with bright, indirect light. It prefers well-draining, fertile soil enriched with organic matter. Ensure you have space for outdoor planting, as Shell Ginger can grow up to 10 feet tall in optimal conditions. If growing indoors, select a spacious pot and provide a humid environment to mimic its natural habitat.
To grow and maintain Shell Ginger, consistent moisture is key. Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and apply mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Feed the plant with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season to promote healthy growth and vibrant blooms. Prune dead or yellowing leaves and spent flowers to encourage new growth and maintain a tidy appearance. Protect the plant from frost in colder climates by mulching heavily or bringing potted plants indoors. With proper care, Shell Ginger can thrive and add a touch of tropical beauty to both gardens and indoor spaces