Overview

Introduce a touch of the tropics to your garden or home with these two robust Hawaiian Red Ginger rhizomes. Known botanically as Alpinia Purpurata, this stunning plant is celebrated for its vibrant, cone-like red inflorescences that resemble intricate pinecones. These rhizomes are the underground stems from which new ginger plants sprout, offering you a fantastic opportunity to grow your own exotic tropical flowers. The Alpinia Purpurata plant is a favorite among gardeners for its dramatic appearance and relatively easy care, making it a rewarding addition to any plant collection. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting, these rhizomes provide a reliable foundation for a lush, flowering display.

Our Hawaiian Red Ginger rhizomes are carefully selected to ensure vigorous growth and abundant blooms. They are ideal for creating a tropical ambiance in outdoor landscapes in warmer regions or as a captivating focal point in indoor containers in cooler climates. The striking red bracts are long-lasting and make excellent cut flowers, bringing the beauty of the tropics indoors. Get ready to enjoy the lush foliage and spectacular flowers of this magnificent ginger variety.

Key Benefits

Growing Hawaiian Red Ginger rhizomes offers a multitude of benefits, from enhancing your garden’s aesthetic to providing beautiful floral arrangements. These plants are not just visually appealing; they are also relatively low maintenance for such an exotic species.

• Stunning Tropical Blooms: The primary appeal of the Alpinia Purpurata plant is its breathtaking, long-lasting red ‘flower’ bracts. These vibrant structures add an unparalleled exotic flair to any setting, drawing attention and admiration. They are perfect for creating a lush, tropical garden feel.
• Excellent Cut Flowers: The durable and colorful inflorescences are highly sought after by florists. You can cut them for stunning, long-lasting floral arrangements that will brighten any room, offering a continuous supply of fresh, exotic blooms.
• Easy to Grow: Despite their exotic appearance, these ginger rhizomes are surprisingly easy to establish and maintain, especially in suitable climates. They are resilient and can thrive with basic care, making them suitable for gardeners of various skill levels.
• Lush Foliage: Beyond the striking flowers, the plant produces attractive, broad green leaves that contribute to a dense, tropical canopy. This lush foliage provides a beautiful backdrop even when the plant is not in bloom, adding texture and depth to your garden.
• Versatile Planting Options: Tropical ginger plant can be grown directly in the ground in warm, frost-free regions, or successfully cultivated in large pots and containers, allowing for indoor enjoyment or relocation during colder months. This versatility makes it accessible to a wider range of climates.
• Natural Privacy Screen: When grown in clusters, the tall stalks and broad leaves can form an effective natural screen, providing privacy or defining garden spaces with their vibrant presence.
• Attracts Pollinators: While primarily admired for its bracts, the actual small white flowers nestled within can attract hummingbirds and other small pollinators, adding life and movement to your garden.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Proper care is essential for ensuring your Hawaiian Red Ginger rhizomes flourish into magnificent plants. Understanding their needs will help you achieve the best possible growth and bloom production. These tropical beauties prefer warm, humid environments, mimicking their native habitat.

Sunlight requirements: Alpinia Purpurata plant thrives in partial shade, especially in hotter climates where direct afternoon sun can scorch its leaves. In cooler regions or during milder mornings, it can tolerate more direct sunlight. Aim for 4-6 hours of bright, indirect light daily. If growing indoors, place it near a window with filtered light or use a grow light to supplement. Intense, direct sun can lead to leaf burn, while too much shade may reduce flowering.

Watering schedule and soil moisture preferences: Red Ginger requires consistent moisture, but it’s crucial to avoid waterlogging. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. During hot, dry periods, you may need to water more frequently. Reduce watering in cooler months or during dormancy. Good drainage is paramount to prevent rhizome rot. The red ginger care routine emphasizes maintaining evenly moist soil.

Soil type and drainage requirements: Use a rich, well-draining potting mix that retains some moisture. A blend of compost, perlite, and peat moss works well. For in-ground planting, amend heavy clay soils with organic matter to improve drainage. The ideal pH for Alpinia Purpurata is slightly acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0).

Temperature range and USDA hardiness zone: These are tropical plants, preferring temperatures between 65°F and 80°F (18°C-27°C). They are not frost-tolerant. In the US, they are typically hardy in USDA zones 9–11. In zones below 9, they must be grown in containers and brought indoors before the first frost, or treated as annuals. High humidity is also beneficial, so consider misting regularly or placing the plant near a humidifier if growing indoors.

Fertilization schedule and type: Feed your tropical ginger plant every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring through fall) with a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half strength. A fertilizer with a slightly higher potassium content can encourage more blooms. Reduce or stop fertilization during winter dormancy.

Common problems and solutions: Watch out for spider mites and mealybugs, especially in dry indoor environments. Treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Yellowing leaves often indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiency. Brown leaf tips can be a sign of low humidity or underwatering. Ensure consistent moisture and good air circulation to promote healthy growth.

Size & Details

Each order includes 2 Hawaiian Red Ginger rhizomes, ready for planting. These rhizomes are typically harvested fresh, ensuring maximum vitality for sprouting. Upon arrival, they will be dormant but will quickly begin to sprout when provided with the right conditions. The rhizomes are approximately 10 inches in length, providing a substantial base for healthy growth. When mature, the Alpinia Purpurata plant can reach heights of 6 to 10 feet in ideal outdoor conditions, forming clumps that are 3 to 5 feet wide. When grown in containers, their size can be managed through pot size and pruning, usually staying between 3 to 6 feet tall.

The striking red inflorescences, often mistakenly called flowers, can appear from spring through fall, depending on your climate and care. Each bloom stalk can last for several weeks, providing continuous color. These rhizomes ship bare, without soil or pot, ready for you to plant in your chosen medium. Expect to see initial shoots within a few weeks of planting, with mature plants and blooms developing within one to two growing seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: When mature, the tropical ginger plant can reach heights of 6 to 10 feet outdoors, forming clumps 3 to 5 feet wide. In containers, its size can be controlled, typically staying between 3 to 6 feet tall.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Hawaiian Red Ginger can be grown outdoors in USDA zones 9-11. In cooler climates, it thrives as a container plant that can be brought indoors during colder months, making it a versatile choice.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This plant prefers partial shade, especially in hot climates, to prevent leaf scorch. Aim for 4-6 hours of bright, indirect light daily. Too much direct sun can be detrimental.
• Q: What condition will the rhizomes arrive in? A: Your Hawaiian Red Ginger rhizomes will arrive fresh and dormant, ready for planting. They are shipped bare, without soil or a pot, ensuring they are in optimal condition for sprouting.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, for a tropical plant, the Alpinia Purpurata plant is considered relatively easy to care for. It primarily requires consistent moisture, warmth, and protection from frost, making it suitable for gardeners of various experience levels.
• Q: How long until it blooms? A: With proper care, you can expect to see initial shoots within a few weeks of planting. Mature plants and their iconic red blooms typically develop within one to two growing seasons, rewarding your patience with stunning flowers.
• Q: What’s the best way to plant these rhizomes? A: Plant the rhizomes horizontally about 2-3 inches deep in well-draining, rich soil. Ensure the ‘eyes’ or growth buds are facing upwards. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: If you are in USDA zones 9-11, it can survive winter outdoors. In colder zones, you must bring the potted plant indoors before the first frost or protect it heavily. The red ginger care for winter involves warmth and reduced watering.
• Q: What is the ideal soil for growing red ginger? A: The ideal soil is rich, well-draining, and retains some moisture. A good quality potting mix amended with compost and perlite is excellent. For garden beds, improve clay soils with organic matter.
• Q: What are the ‘flowers’ of the Red Ginger actually called? A: The prominent red structures are actually bracts, which are specialized leaves. The true flowers are small, white, and inconspicuous, emerging from within these vibrant red bracts.