Description

General aspect and origins - Alpinia zerumbet, syn. A. nutans, A. speciosa or Costus zerumbet is also known as shell ginger. This plant, which is native to Southeast Asia, can reach up to 8 ft (2.40 m) tall. It is widely grown for its lush foliage and its ornamental white and pink flowers.
Leaves - This Alpinia has ornamental leaves, and can be used as a foliage plant in temperate areas where warm season is too short for reliable flowering. Leaves are evergreen in frost-free climates. They can reach up to 20 in (50 cm) long, and 4 in (10 cm) wide.
Flowers - The flowers are grouped in racemes of waxy white flowers with pink tips and red and yellow throats.
Fruits - Fruits of Alpinia zerumbet are spherical and have several ribs. They are orange-red and dehiscent.

Culture

This Alpinia is an interesting plant for the exotic gardener : both its foliage and flowers are ornamental and tropical looking. Moreover, its rhizome can withstand cold temperatures, down to about 10-14°F (-10°C to -12°C). Even if leaves are damaged and frozen by frost, it will vigorously regrow the next spring. It is thus an interesting flowering Alpinia for the tropical and mild zones (USDA zones 10a and warmer), and a promising foliage plant for colder zones. (USDA zones 8a to 9b)
Soil - This plant prefers drained and moist soils and a partial shade exposition in tropical zones.

Propagation

This plant can be mainly propagated by seeds or division of the rhizome.