How to Care for a Pineapple Ginger Plant
The pineapple ginger plant, also known as Tapeinochilus ananassae or Indonesian wax ginger, is an herbaceous perennial native to Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia. Though unrelated to the pineapple fruit, the pineapple ginger plant is so named because of its red bracts that look like an upside-down pineapple. In the United States, pineapple ginger is only suited for outdoor growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. Gardeners living outside of these zones can grow a pineapple ginger plant indoors as an attractive tropical houseplant. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Planting container
- Peat moss
- Loam
- Perlite
- Watering can
- Water-soluble fertilizer
Instructions
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Select a planting container for your pineapple ginger plant that is 4 or 5 inches larger in diameter than the plant's root system.
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Mix peat moss, loam and perlite together in the planting pot. Place the pineapple ginger plant in the container at the same level it was planted in its nursery container.
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Position your potted pineapple ginger plant in a partially shaded location. "Partial shade" means that your plant is shaded from direct sun exposure for at least four to five hours each day.
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Water your plant as often as necessary to keep its soil moist. Check the soil moisture every other day to ensure the soil is not allowed to dry out. Keep the soil moist all year long, but reduce watering during the winter months if the soil moisture dictates.
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Fertilize your pineapple ginger plant once a week, using a half-strength dilution of a water-soluble fertilizer according to the package directions.
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Repot your pineapple ginger plant when it outgrows its container. Each time you choose a new planting container, select one that is 2 to 4 inches larger than the previous container. Repot the plant using a fresh mixture of the growing medium.
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Tips & Warnings
An established pineapple ginger plant can be divided and planted individually. Pineapple ginger plants also can be propagated by seeds or cuttings.
If planting your pineapple ginger outside, select a location that meets the plant's shade requirements. Amend the soil with peat moss and perlite to make it more hospitable for the plant.
Do not allow the roots of your pineapple ginger plant to become waterlogged. Though the plant enjoys moist soil, its roots can rot if they're left in standing water.
