How to Grow a Variegata Ginger Plant

Variegata ginger (Alpinia zerumbet), a type of shell ginger, is a dramatic perennial plant that displays clumps of lance-shaped leaves adorned with green and yellow stripes. Although the non-variegated variety of shell ginger reaches heights as tall as 10 feet at maturity, Variegata grows only to 3 to 4 feet. Shell ginger blooms year-around, but the pink-tipped white flowers are most plentiful during the summer months. The blooms of the Variegata cultivar have a pleasant, spicy aroma.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Garden hose
• General purpose or time-release fertilizer
• Pruners or garden shears

Instructions

1. Purchase Variegata ginger at a garden center or nursery. You also can propagate it by dividing an existing plant. Dig up a ginger and separate the plant by pulling the fleshy rhizomes apart with your hands.

2. Plant Variegata ginger in moist, well-drained soil where the plant is exposed to partial shade or filtered sunlight. This cultivar is especially striking in in semi-shadow. Allow 24 to 36 inches between plants.

3. Water regularly and keep the soil moist, but not soggy, until the plant is established – about a year. Established shell ginger is moderately drought-tolerant but benefits from regular watering during hot, dry weather. Provide about 1 inch of water every week to keep the plant from wilting.

4. Feed Variegata ginger a general purpose, balanced fertilizer every month during spring and summer. Alternatively, apply a time-release fertilizer in spring and again in midsummer. For specific rates of application, refer to package instructions.

5. Keep Variegata ginger neat and healthy by removing yellow foliage with pruners or garden shears whenever necessary. Cut spent blooms to the ground to promote continued blooming.

Tips & Warnings

• Variegata ginger is appropriate for growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 8 to 11, but a cold snap can kill the plant to the ground. The plant will come back in spring, but because it blooms on old growth no flowers will appear for a year.

• Because it is a smaller cultivar, Variegata ginger is appropriate for growing in large patio containers. Fill the container with general purpose potting soil, then place the plant in a partially shade area.

• Variegata ginger can be planted in full sunlight. However, partial shade brings out the colors in the foliage. Ginger located in sunlight requires regular watering to prevent wilt.

References

• University of North Florida: Alpinia zerumbet - Shell ginger
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata' Variegated Shellflower
• Floridata: Alpinia Zerumbet
• SFGate.com: Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata,' or Shell Ginger
• University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service: Ornamental Ginger, Red and Pink