Scientific Name: Alpinia purpurata

Aliases: red ginger, hawaiian red ginger, jungle king, jungle queen, ostrich plume, pink cone ginger, tahitian red ginger, awapuhi-'ula'ula

Family: Zingiberaceae (ginger family)

Mature Plant Size: Up to 4-6' tall by 12-24" wide

Type: Herbaceous, Evergreen

Growth Rate: Medium

Light Requirements: Full indirect sun to partial shade; will tolerate moderate full sun to light shade

Moisture Requirements: Consistently moist soil; do not allow soil to dry completely between waterings

Soil Requirements: Prefers a mixture of peat moss and potting soil with loam

Natural Habitat: Originates from Malaysia; grows in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Central America. May also be grown outdoors in South Florida or USDA zone 11.

Care Recommendations: The red ginger plant requires consistently moist soil for the rhizomes to grow properly. The soil should not be allowed to dry out between waterings, as this may cause shriveling of the rhizomes. The plant also prefers soil with a pH ranging between 6.0 and 7.5. The plant tolerates heat well, and prefers high humidity, as these conditions are often present in its natural environment.

The red ginger plant will not tolerate frost or low temperatures, as this perennial will quickly die off if temperatures fall below 45 degrees F (will survive in USDA zones 11 and warmer). It prefers temperatures between 70-80 degrees F during the day. This plant also prefers full sun, but will easily tolerate partial to light shade. The red ginger plant may be lightly fed with a general houseplant fertilizer up to once a month during active growth. This plant blooms repeatedly in mid to late summer, although it may bloom more frequently in a proper environment.

Propagation: The red ginger plant may be propagated by dividing the rhizomes, tubers, or by removing offsets. Rhizomes may be dug up and divided during active growth, after which they should be potted up separately two to three inches deep in a peat moss and potting soil mixture. Offsets may also be removed and potted as separate plants.

Pests and Diseases: The red ginger plant is generally insect and disease free. Spider mites or other insects may be controlled by washing the leaves.

Additional Information:

The red ginger plant is desirable for its bright red or pink bloom stalk, depending on the cultivar. The true flower of the plant is a white flower at the top of the bloom stalk. The plant has two main varieties, namely the Jungle King with its clusters of deep red spikes of flowers and Jungle Queen its clusters of pink spikes of flowers. Note that the red ginger plant and its rhizomes are not considered edible.

The red ginger plant, or Ostrich Plume, has showy flowers on its long, brightly red colored bloom stalk.

The bloom stalks of the red ginger plant are often cut and used in flower arrangements.