Alpinia purpurata (Red Ginger, Ostrich Plume and Pink Cone Ginger)
Botanical Information
| Family | Zingiberaceae |
| Genus | Alpinia |
| Species | purpurata |
| Synonyms | Alpinia grandis, Alpinia purpurata var. albobracteata, Alpinia purpurata var. anomala, Alpinia purpurata var. grandis |
| Category | Bulbs |
| Type | Shrub (evergreen) |
| Origin | Malaysia |
| Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer | Will spread freely and take over gardens, to avoid this use a planter or pot. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 10b - 11 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cold season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H1c - H2 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | 1 - 10 |
| Temperature (°F) | 33.8 - 50 |
| Height | 1.2 - 1.8 m |
| Spread | 30 - 38 cm |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | Herbaceous evergreen known for its brightly coloured bracts. |
| Landscape | Grown for use as a houseplant and the cut flowers are used in floral arrangements. |
| Propagation | By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs. |
| Cultivation | Grows best in full sun to partial or light shade with consistently moist, well-drained soil. Do not let soil dry out between waterings. Attracts bees, butterflies, and birds. Will not flower until the second year. |
| Notable Specimens | Suan Packkad Palace, Bangkok, Thailand. |
| Flower Description | Showy, growing on long brightly colored bracts. Bracts look like the bloom, but the true flower is small and grows on top. |
| Colour Description | Foliage is medium to dark green. Bracts range from magenta to red, with the true flower being white. |
Photographs
Alpinia purpurata, leaf.
Alpinia purpurata, flower.