Alpinia zerumbet (Shell Ginger, Variegated Shell Ginger)
Shell ginger is a tall herbaceous perennial that is used in the landscape for its attractive foliage and shell-like flowers. It can grow up to 2.5 meters or more in ideal conditions. The leaves are very long and strikingly variegated with irregular stripes of green and yellow and have a distinct, spicy fragrance. This ginger puts out delicate flowers resembling White Sea shells, tipped pink with a red and yellow throat. It flowers during spring and summer, but will flower intermittently year round in warmer areas. It flowers best if give a few hours of direct sun, but will happily grow even in partial shade.
The rhizome, fruits and seeds have medical uses.
- Landscape Information
- Botanical Description
- Horticulture Management
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French Name: Fleur de mon âme, Gingembre coquille
Pronunciation: al-PIN-ee-uh zair-um-BET
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Plant type: Groundcover
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Origin: E. Asia
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Heat Zones: 5 to 12
Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11
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Uses: Specimen, Border Plant, Mass Planting, Indoor, Container, Medicinal, Cut Flowers / Arrangements
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Size/Shape
Growth Rate: Moderate
Tree Shape: Upright
Canopy Density: Open
Canopy Texture: Coarse
Height at Maturity: 0.5 to 1 m, 1 to 1.5 m, 1.5 to 3 m
Spread at Maturity: 1 to 1.5 meters
Time to Ultimate Height: 2 to 5 Years
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Foliage
Leaf Arrangement : Spiral
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Leaf Persistance: Evergreen
Leaf Type: Simple
Leaf Blade: 50 - 80
Leaf Shape: Lanceolate
Leaf Margins: Entire
Leaf Texture: Glossy, Coarse
Leaf Scent: No Fragance (Spicy)
Color(growing season): Green, Yellow, Variegated
Color(changing season): Green, Yellow
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Flower
Flower Size Range: 10 - 20
Flower Type: Raceme
Flower Sexuality: Monoecious (Bisexual)
Flower Scent: Pleasant (Sweet)
Flower Color: White
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Year Round
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Trunk
Number of Trunks: Multi-Trunked
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Fruit
Fruit Size Range: 1.5 - 3, 3 - 7
Fruit Color: Brown
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Year Round
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Tolerance
Heat Tolerance: Yes
Salt Tolerance: Moderate
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Requirements
Soil Requirements: Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Ph Requirements: Acidic, Neutral
Water Requirements: Moderate
Light Requirements: Full, Part
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Management
Susceptibility to Pests and Diseases: No
Pruning Requirements: No pruning at all
Fruit/ Leaves/ Flowers litter: No
Pests: Mites
Plant Propagation: Seed, Division, Offset, Rhizomes