Top 10 Must-Have Tropical Plants for Queensland Gardens
Alpinia zerumbet Green Shell Ginger
Description:
Alpinia zerumbet Green Shell Ginger is a lush, tropical perennial known for its large, glossy green leaves and attractive shell-like flowers. Native to East Asia, this ginger species is valued for its bold, upright growth habit and ability to thrive in warm, humid climates. Its lush foliage makes it a popular choice for creating a tropical ambiance in gardens, while its fragrant flowers add seasonal interest. It is often used in garden beds, borders, or as a striking container plant.
Flowers:
Alpinia zerumbet Green Shell Ginger produces beautiful, pendulous clusters of fragrant, shell-shaped white flowers with yellow and pink accents. The flowers bloom in late spring to early summer, adding a striking contrast to the plant's green foliage. While the flowers are not the primary feature of the plant, they add a subtle elegance and fragrance to the garden.
Foliage:
The large, lance-shaped leaves of Green Shell Ginger are bright green, glossy, and have a striking, tropical appearance. The leaves can grow up to 60 cm long, creating a dramatic effect in the landscape. The bold, lush foliage is a key ornamental feature, providing year-round visual interest in tropical and subtropical gardens.
Fruit:
After flowering, small, inedible fruit capsules may form, though they are not a significant ornamental feature.
Form and Size:
This clump-forming perennial typically grows to 1.5-2 meters in height and 1-1.5 meters in width. Its upright, arching form makes it an excellent feature plant in tropical or subtropical garden settings, where its bold foliage can create a striking focal point.
Growing Conditions:
Green Shell Ginger thrives in part shade to full sun and prefers moist, well-drained soils. It performs best in warm, humid climates but can tolerate light frost in protected areas. In cooler regions, it can be grown in containers and brought indoors during the winter months. Regular watering is necessary to keep the soil moist, especially during hot, dry periods.
Uses:
This versatile plant is ideal for use as a feature plant in tropical or subtropical garden designs, where its large leaves and upright form add a bold, tropical aesthetic. It can be used in garden beds, as a border plant, or in large containers for patios and courtyards. Its lush foliage also makes it a great choice for creating privacy or a backdrop in mixed plantings.
Maintenance:
Alpinia zerumbet Green Shell Ginger is relatively low-maintenance. Remove spent flower spikes and any damaged or yellowing leaves to keep the plant looking tidy. Water regularly during dry periods, and mulch around the base to retain moisture. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring to promote healthy growth. In cooler climates, protect the plant from frost by mulching heavily or growing it in a container that can be moved indoors.
Notes:
Green Shell Ginger is prized for its lush, tropical appearance and ability to thrive in warm, humid environments. While the flowers are attractive, the plant is primarily grown for its bold foliage, which adds a dramatic touch to garden landscapes.
Companion Plants:
Pairs beautifully with other tropical plants like Heliconia, Cordyline, and Strelitzia. It also works well alongside smaller shade-loving plants like ferns or as a contrast to large-leaved plants like Alocasia and Philodendron.
Common Name: Green Shell Ginger
Botanical Name: Alpinia zerumbet
Family: Zingiberaceae
Origin: East Asia
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Delivery Options
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Product Availability
Plants & Pots come and go all year around.
- Plants are seasonal and sometimes we run out but have more batches coming along.
- Some Plants are not always in-store however we can either order it in or deliver it to your door. pending availability
- Available numbers change every hour of the day in store and where we grow so please check in with us on how many you are looking for
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- we will sometimes keep plants on our website to show you the description of how it grows and its specific characteristics. they may not be in stock all the time however we will keep it up online so when it comes in we wont have to reload products
- the above information is exactly the same for Pots. they come and go all year around so please send us a message via the chat button and we will get back to you with availability
Where are our plants Grown and how do we grow them
- Plants are grown locally on the Sunshine Coast
- All outdoor plants are sun hardened and ready to grow
- Indoor plants are grown under 50% Shade and will transfer perfectly to indoor use
- Orchids are also grown under 50% Shade and are best brought indoors during flowering for show then returned back into a shaded area until the following flowering time
- we are Qualified horticulturists, greenkeeper as well as Qualified landscape Construction with over 35 years experience in the industry. We use Quality products and materials to grow all our plants.
- Visit us instore and get the right advice the first time to make your plants succeed
How to Look after your plants like we do
- When using any Garden Care products or Fertilisers we always recommend reading the label before use
- We recommend using Earthlife crushed rock mineral on all plants when planting in the ground or in Pots.
- When planting in Pots in Our garden centre we use Rocky Point potting mixes to plant all our plants
- If planting in the ground we also recommend that you use Rocky Point garden soil around your plants at the time of planting