Gingers enjoy a special position in the botanical kingdom with their elegance in form, texture, sparkling color, and amazing symmetry. The word ginger conjures up images of an exotic oriental food flavoring; however, edible ginger (Zingiber officinale) is only one of approximately 1,300 species of the very diverse Zingiberaceae family. Gingers are classed as a herbaceous perennial and have enjoyed popularity as an ornamental plant in Asia and the Far East for centuries. Only recently have they became known as outstanding ornamentals in the U. S.

Gingers as a group add outstanding foliage and exotic scented flowers to the landscape and are wonderful plants for southern climates (Zones 8-10) depending on species. Gingers also do well as indoor container plants. They are heavy feeders and drinkers during the growing season. Most do best in partial shade (no more than 4 hours of morning sun recommended), but some thrive in full sun, others in full shade, depending on the species. Many species enter dormancy in response to cool temperatures and dry conditions. Rhizomes (the underground stem) survive in dormant condition during such periods. During winter periods when subjected to brief below freezing conditions, a heavy top mulching helps ensure winter survival of the rhizomes as ground freezing poses the major threat. If harsher conditions are expected, it is best to dig up the rhizomes and store them in a warmer place until danger has passed. Along the Houston Gulf coast, most gingers can over-winter using these simple precautions. Cold tolerance or lack thereof is species specific.   Gingers and related plants may be difficult to grow in Central Texas due to dryness and colder winter conditions.

Kaempferia rotunda - blooms appear before foliage. For a larger view, click on picture.

• ALPINIAS – Called the "shell" gingers due to the seashell form of the flowers. Come in all sizes from small to large. Leaves are frequently fragrant. Most bear large clusters of fragrant, stunning blooms. Like medium to full sun, Many can overwinter without special care (except spp A. sanderae is tender and needs protection). All make good pot plants. A. zerumbet variegata is a boldly yellow streaked selection that adds outstanding garden color and has become a favorite in the nursery trade.   This is the largest genus in the Zingiberaceae family with over 150 species.   Most bloom on second year growth so if the plant freezes back, the bloom will be lost.  Canes that have bloomed should be removed after blooming.  Alpinias can be propagated by rhizome division in spring.  They are native to Southeast Asia, New Guinea, tropical Australia and Pacific Islands.
• COSTUS -- The Costus family no longer belongs to the ginger family but is grown along with them because of their similar growing requirements. Called "spiral" gingers, they have true stems and spirally arranged foliage. Flowers attract hummingbirds. Medium to full sun. Flower petals open from a cone on the terminus of the stem. Depending on species, some get very tall, others are very short. Costus speciosus and spiralis overwinter well in Houston. Other species may be more tender.  They can be propagated from rhizome division in spring and stem cuttings. Costus are native to Central and South America.  
• CURCUMAS -- Known as "hidden" gingers, Curcumas are broad leafed plants with very colorful flowers which tend to be hidden among the large textured foliage. The flowers are exotic, large and range from white to pink to orange and shades of violet. Curcumas generally overwinter well along the gulf coast but some species are very tender (e.g. some exotic varieties from southeast Asia).  There are spring and summer blooming types, some produce bloom before foliage appears and others produce bloom after foliage matures.  Curcumas are native to Indomalaysia and China.  They are easily propagated from divisions and go dormant at the first cold wind of fall.  They range from 1 - 8 ft. in height.
• DICHORISANDRA - Not a true ginger but is so similar, it is called ginger.  It is a member of the Spiderwort family.  Arching stems are covered with deep green whirling leaves showing silver variegation. This plant produces tight upright clusters of vibrant deep violet-blue flowers in late summer and is root hardy in zone 9. You'd never know it wasn't a ginger!!  There is a straight and tall variety, D. thrysiflora, and a pendulant variety, D. pendula.
• ELETTARIAS - Known as Cardamon ginger, this plant produces a wonderful spicy aroma when leaves are brushed or torn. The foliage is shiny green, upright and attractive in any garden. Although a tall (5') plant, there is a dwarf form that stays less than 2 ft. Cardamons like partial sun and are hardy into the 20 degree range. Flowers are attractive, but infrequent.
• GLOBBAS -- These are small shade plants, most 2 feet or less in height. All have attractive foliage and flowers which are uniquely different from any other ginger. They resemble dancing ballerinas as they hang in clusters. Globbas reseed rather rampantly and the most common species are "bulbosa" with yellow blooms and "winitii" with yellow and purple blooms.  They go dormant at first sign of cold and are native to China and Indomalaysia.  They produce little white bulblets after blooming which drop and produce new plants in abundance.
• HEDYCHIUMS -- Called "butterfly" gingers, these are perhaps the easiest to overwinter and the showiest of flowering gingers with clusters of butterfly shaped blooms on top of long stems which are very fragrant. Some get very tall and others remain short depending on species. This genus goes dormant after the first frost and enjoys medium to full sun. They make large clusters so space is needed. Flower colors come in a broad range, white, yellow, peach, pink, etc.  H. cororonarium is a most popular white fragrant bloom.   Hedychiums can tolerate more sun than other gingers and bloom on new growth.  As canes bloom out, they should be cut to encourage new growth.   Hedychiums are propagated by division of rhizomes which spread rapidly underground.  This is the most hybridized of the gingers.  They are native to Madagascar, Indomalaysia, and southwest China.
• KAEMPFERIAS -- Called "peacock" gingers, these are low growing plants with decorative patterned, often variegated foliage. Perfect as a ground cover, especially in shade, many have purple, lavender flowers sometimes mixed with white. Plants are dormant all winter outdoors but make good house plants. K. rotunda produces blooms from the ground before foliage appears.  They are native to tropical Africa and Southeast Asia.
• ZINGIBERS -- Many species have large cones hidden among the foliage that release thick juice when squeezed. The edible ginger (Z. officinale) is a part of this genus. Most species make great foliage plants, some with variegated foliage on tall stems. These can grow in medium to full sun.  They are also known as the Cone ginger or Soap Ginger and are native to eastern Asia, Indomalaysia, and northern Australia.

• NOTE:  This is not intended to be a complete list of Gingers that might do well along the Gulf Coast area. Please check other references as well for additional possibilities.

Other good sites you might want to visit for information on Gingers include

Another good site to see representative pictures and get information about various gingers is Stokes Tropicals.   This is a commercial mail order site and we are not endorsing their products by referring you there.