Alpinia purpurataRed Ginger

Alpinia purpurata, the Red Ginger, is a clumping evergreen perennial from the islands of the western Pacific, grown for the waxy red or pink bracts it carries on upright spikes above reed-like stems. In warm humid conditions it flowers almost continuously and clumps build to 1.5 to 3 metres.

It is a resort and hotel planting staple, used in bold drifts against green backdrops and cut for interior arrangements that hold for weeks.

Specifications

• Height1.5 to 3 metres
• Width1 to 1.5 metres
• Native toMaluku, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands
• FoliageLong lance-shaped glossy green leaves borne along reed-like stems; evergreen
• Growth rateFast

Conditions

• SoilPrefers rich, moisture-retentive soil with free drainage
• LightFull sun to partial shade
• WaterModerate to high; not suited to dry conditions
• ClimateThrives in humid tropical and warm subtropical regions; frost tender

Additional Features

• FlowersLong-lasting red or pink bract spikes held above the foliage, near year-round in warm humid climates
• UsesIdeal for tropical borders, resort and courtyard planting, and as a cut flower
• SpacingPlant 0.8 to 1 metre apart for a solid drift
• Low MaintenanceCut spent canes to the ground and the clump renews itself
• Pest ResistanceGenerally trouble-free with basic care
• Wildlife AttractionNectar-rich bracts draw nectar-feeding birds
• Seasonal AppealColour is held for months on each spike, giving continuous display

Red Ginger delivers saturated tropical colour that lasts, making it one of the most cost-effective flowering perennials in a humid climate scheme.