Hedychium : how to plant, to grow and care for

Botany

Hedychiums are imposing herbaceous perennial plants with a rootstock, offering lush foliage and unusual flowering in erect clusters. They include about 90 species from Asia, notably the Himalayan region and Nepal. In nature, they are mainly found in bright, light woodland, both in lowlands and at altitude (some species grow up to 3,000 metres, which probably explains their fairly good hardiness). Some species are even epiphytic, growing directly on tree trunks rather than in soil.

Name of Hedychium comes from Greek hedys, meaning “sweet”, and chion, meaning snow, alluding to white, fragrant flowering of Hedychium coronarium.

Hedychiums are closely related to ginger, to the point they are sometimes called “ornamental ginger”. They belong to same family as ginger, Zingiberaceae (more than 1,500 species). In this family are also other spices such as turmeric and cardamom, as well as plants sometimes grown for ornamental interest, like Roscoea and Alpinia.

Despite tropical appearance, Hedychiums are not as tender as one might think. Hedychium forrestii and densiflorum, among most hardy, tolerate down to –15 °C, and Hedychium coronarium can withstand about –10 °C.

Hedychiums form large clumps made of erect stems, thick and very straight, unbranched, bearing leaves inserted in a regular pattern. These are fairly tall, imposing plants that grow quickly and often reach between 1 and 2.5 metres. In wild, some species attain up to 5 metres. Hedychiums send up robust, erect, very straight, unbranched stems. These stems bear leaves arranged with great regularity.

Hedychium coronarium: botanical illustration

Hedychiums flower in late summer–early autumn: depending on variety, flowering occurs between August and November. Timing of flowering also depends on climate and region where grown: flowers appear earlier in mild climates (August) and later where conditions are cooler (September–October).

Hedychiums then bear erect clusters made up of a large number of flowers. These clusters measure between 10 and 35 cm long and are terminal. Generally, inflorescences open from base towards tip. They appear fairly airy and light… except for Hedychium densiflorum: as name suggests, this species has dense inflorescences with flowers packed relatively close together. Hedychium spicatum, by contrast, looks totally different, with just a few white, light, irregular flowers.

Hedychium flowers are valued for warm hues, varying with variety. They can be white, cream, yellow, orange or red. Flowers often bear long red stamens that are highly decorative.

Flowers are irregular, with bilateral symmetry, suggesting butterfly shapes (an idea also found in Hedychium coronarium, sometimes called “butterfly ginger”). Each flower is borne by a green tubular bract. Flowers face outwards from spike. They consist of petals fused into a tube and open into very narrow, linear lobes. Each flower bears a long fertile stamen, often red, as well as staminodia (sterile stamens) that take the form of petals. These are more or less broad depending on species, well developed in Hedychium coronarium but very narrow in Hedychium yunnanense, giving that inflorescence an airy, transparent look.

Hedychium flowers are fragrant. They are also melliferous, appreciated by bees that visit them.

Flowering of Hedychium gardnerianum (photo J.J. Harrison) / Detail of a flower of Hedychium gardnerianum (photo Pancrat) / Flowering of Hedychium yunnanense (photo Peganum)

Hedychium greenii has the particularity of producing small seedling(s) on inflorescences once spent! These can be removed and replanted in garden. This allows the species to spread easily, since seedlings simply need to detach from mother plant to land on soil and root.

Hedychium foliage is very lush, making plant decorative even when not in flower. Leaves are very elongated, lanceolate, tapering to a point at tip (acuminate). They are simple, entire, and measure between 30 and 50 cm long. Lamina is sheathing at base. Leaves have a graphic appearance. They are arranged regularly, alternate on each side of stem, in one plane.

Leaves are green and set off the flowering well. There are also some variegated cultivars, such as ‘Tahitian Flame’. Leaves of Hedychium greenii have a beautiful reddish-purple colour on underside.

Hedychium flavum: overall view and detail of foliage (photos Krzysztof Golik) / Leaves of Hedychium greenii

Hedychiums are deciduous, above-ground parts die back for winter while rootstock remains alive and protected from cold in soil. It will send up new shoots and leaves in spring when temperatures warm. Emergence is fairly late, around May–June… which can make it seem as if plant has gone, but usually one just needs to wait a little. Once above ground, Hedychiums grow quickly. They are vigorous plants that develop lush foliage but require feeding or organic matter to support that growth.

Hedychiums have thick, fleshy, ramified rootstocks. These are storage organs that also allow plant to propagate, spread and gain ground. Rootstocks have ginger scent.

In autumn, after flowering, Hedychiums produce capsules containing seeds. When ripe, capsules split into three parts to reveal bright red seeds. Interior of capsules is quite decorative, vivid orange. Seeds are dispersed by animals that eat them (notably birds, but also mammals). However, Hedychium must be grown in a very mild climate to have a chance of setting seed.

A Hedychium gardnerianum in fruit (photo Ixitixel) / Detail of fruits (photo Maja Dumat)

Main Hedychium varieties

Most popular varieties

Our favourite varieties

Other varieties to discover

Hedychium coccineum Tara - Ginger Lily

This very popular variety is prized for its fairly bright, orange flowering in long upright clusters... A superb, luminous and warm shade that earned it the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). It also has fairly good hardiness.

• Flowering time September to November
• Height at maturity 1,20 m

See the full description

Hedychium gardnerianum - Ginger Lily

This Hedychium offers a softer flowering, in a tender yellow colour, enlivened by long red stamens. It is one of the species most widely grown in cultivation. It received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

• Flowering time September, October
• Height at maturity 1,50 m

See the full description

 

Hedychium ellipticum - Ginger Lily

This Hedychium is notable for offering flowering in fairly short, rounded clusters. Flowers are creamy-white and bear protruding, very long red stamens.

• Flowering time October to December
• Height at maturity 1,20 m

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Hedychium densiflorum

This Hedychium bears orange inflorescences in long, slender, fairly dense clusters. They comprise a large number of flowers packed closely together.

• Flowering time September to November
• Height at maturity 1,30 m

See the full description

Hedychium gardnerianum Species Mixed Seeds

These seeds will let you obtain young plants of Hedychium gardnerianum, which will later bear large upright clusters in various shades.

• Flowering time September to November
• Height at maturity 2 m

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Hedychium spicatum - Ginger Lily

This Hedychium presents inflorescences composed of a small number of white flowers, delicately tinged with orange, and quite fragrant. A particularly graceful and light flowering, well set off by dark green foliage.

• Flowering time October, November
• Height at maturity 1,50 m

See the full description

Hedychium yunnanense - Ginger Lily

This Hedychium bears clusters (fairly short) composed of pale yellow, almost white flowers, with a truly light, airy aspect due to the fineness of the petals. It is a very elegant flowering.

• Flowering time October, November
• Height at maturity 1,20 m

See the full description

Hedychium greenii - Coral Ginger

This is a relatively small species, not very tall, producing red flowers. Its foliage is notable for a purplish-red underside. Its stems are also purplish, rather dark.

• Flowering time October, November
• Height at maturity 1,20 m

See the full description

Planting

Where to plant?

You can grow Hedychium in full sun or partial shade, but it is important to choose a bright spot. If the position is too shady, Hedychium flowering will be less abundant. Plant it in a fairly warm situation, in a spot sheltered from wind. A sheltered spot, such as a small courtyard or a patio, would be ideal.

Hedychiums appreciate humus-rich, fertile soils, so it is best to add well-rotted compost when planting. They also like deep, light soils.

In general, Hedychiums also prefer free-draining soils that remain relatively dry when plant is in dormancy. However, it is preferable that soil is cool, even moist, in summer. Hedychium grows quite well in heavy, clay soils. You can also position them near a pond.

Regarding pH, Hedychiums prefer neutral to slightly acidic soils.

Hedychiums can quite happily be planted in open ground, provided you do not live in a region that is too cold (notably in the mountains), and provided they are protected with a good layer of mulch. Otherwise, prefer growing in a pot so you can easily bring it under cover.

During their growth and flowering period, Hedychiums appreciate tropical conditions, with warmth and humidity.

When to plant?

Plant Hedychiums in spring, around April. It is also possible to do so in autumn if you live in a mild climate, or if you grow Hedychium in a pot.

How to plant?

Hedychiums can be bought in pots or as bare roots. If planting several Hedychiums, leave at least 60–70 cm between them.

1. If in pots, start by placing them in a basin filled with water.
2. While the rootball rehydrates, dig a planting hole about three times the size of the rootball.
3. Do not hesitate to add coarse materials to improve water infiltration, for example gravel. We also recommend adding some well-rotted compost to enrich the soil.
4. Remove the rootball from its pot and plant it, or, if bought as bare roots, place the rootstock directly in soil.
5. Backfill the planting hole with soil.
6. Water generously.

We recommend applying a good layer of mulch, which will help keep the soil cool for longer while limiting weed growth.

Once established, it is best not to disturb Hedychiums. They do not like being moved.

You can also grow Hedychium in a pot, which will allow you to bring it easily under cover for winter. Choose a wide, deep container, place a drainage layer at the bottom (gravel, clay balls…) and use a rich, light potting compost.

Hedychium gardnerianum (photo Forest and Kim Starr)

Care

Provide regular watering during summer, so that the soil stays cool, even moist. Watering should be increased if you grow the plant in a pot. Flowering will be more attractive and abundant if soil is cool, whereas summer drought may interrupt flowering. Conversely, it is better for substrate to be fairly dry in winter to prevent the rootstock from rotting.

Hedychium will also appreciate some feeding, as it is a fairly demanding plant that prefers soils rich in minerals. In the ground, you can place well-rotted compost around the clump and work it into soil with a light fork-over.

Cut flowers when faded, for appearance and to relieve the plant.

We recommend providing protection against cold. At start of winter, around December, cut stems back to base, trimming them close to ground. Then lay a thick layer of mulch, for example made of dead leaves (at least 30 cm thick). Besides protecting the plant, laying mulch on the stump will add organic matter to soil and thereby enrich it. You can also bring the plant under cover for winter, especially if grown in a pot (or if you live in a cold area).

Greatly reduce watering in winter. It is preferable for substrate to be relatively dry while the plant is in dormancy. In summary, Hedychiums appreciate heat, humidity and feeding in summer, but prefer to be cool and dry in winter.

Do not worry if you do not see Hedychium restart in spring. It can emerge quite late, sometimes producing new stems only in June. It waits for temperatures to be mild enough to resume growth.

Hedychium is not susceptible to diseases. Regarding pests, watch for aphids. These small insects settle on the plant and suck sap, which weakens it. We recommend treating with black soap. Likewise, Hedychiums are sometimes attacked by red spider mites (when grown under glass or indoors). As these mites favour dry atmospheres, you can get rid of them by spraying water on foliage. Gastropods — slugs and snails — sometimes chew young leaves.

Multiplication

Hedychiums can be propagated by sowing or division. Hedychium greenii has the peculiarity of producing seedlings in place of flowers once the flowers have faded. You can pot them up in soil to propagate the plant.

Sowing

Seeds should be sown immediately after harvesting or purchase, without delay. They lose their seed viability over time.

1. Prepare a pot with potting compost.
2. Sow the seeds by placing them on the surface.
3. Cover them with a thin layer of sieved compost or vermiculite.
4. Water with a fine spray.
5. Place the pot under cover in a bright spot, with a temperature between 20 and 25 °C.
6. You can cover the pot with plastic film to maintain a humid atmosphere.

Seeds may take a long time to germinate (between 15 days and two months). Continue to water regularly until germination so the substrate remains relatively cool.

Once seeds have germinated and the seedlings are large enough to handle, you can pot them on into individual pots. Harden them off gradually before planting them permanently in the open ground.

Division of rootstocks

Hedychiums gradually form large clumps. As they are vigorous plants with rapid growth, you can divide them from time to time to replant elsewhere or give to friends. This helps to limit the size of the clumps a little. Division is carried out in spring.

1. Start by digging up the plant or removing it from its pot.
2. Cut the rootstock into several segments. Use a disinfected, sharp knife to make a clean cut.
3. Place each piece of rootstock in a pot filled with potting compost.
4. Keep the pot under cover. This allows the plant to begin its growth while protected. You can plant it out in the open ground later once it has developed well.

To divide Hedychium grown in open ground, you can dig up the whole clump if it is not too extensive and then divide it, or simply take part of it and leave the rest in the ground.

Association

Hedychiums are obviously perfect for creating a tropical-style, exotic garden. Plant them among large decorative foliage such as arborescent ferns, palms, banana plants, castor oil plant… Choose plants with majestic, giant leaves, such as Tetrapanax, Colocasia or Gunnera. Also discover the large rounded leaves of Astilboides tabularis, or very dissected foliage of Datisca cannabina. All these plants will give your garden a tropical aspect. You can aim to create jungle effect: an overgrown tangle of plants, messy, very natural and luxuriant, yet transporting. Don’t hesitate to include a few lianas, such as akebias, clematis, passionflowers… Also discover pendulous red-and-yellow flowers of Abutilon megapotamicum. You’ll create a garden that transports you, makes you travel, and gives impression of finding yourself in the Amazon or in luxuriant forest of a far-off continent.

Also think about adding other plants with spectacular flowering, favouring shades of red – orange – yellow. Choose, for example, cannas, crocosmias, kniphofias, lantanas, daylilies, ligularias… Their flowering will blend wonderfully with that of Hedychiums! If you live in region with mild climate (elsewhere, you can grow it in a pot and bring it indoors for winter), enjoy superb flowering of Strelitzia reginae. For decorative and colourful foliage, discover that of Libertia peregrinans.

Hedychiums fit very easily into an exotic-style garden. Fatsia japonica, Crinum powellii, Hedychium coccineum (photo Swati Sidhu), Libertia peregrinans, Akebia quinata and Canna ‘Brilliant’ (photo Steven Bemelman – iBulb)

You can also choose, to accompany Hedychiums, other unusual, little-known plants. Opt for, for example, Brugmansia, Roscoea, Lycoris aurea, Scadoxus… Not forgetting elegant flowering of Crinum and Cardiocrinum. Your garden will be a never-ending source of wonder, continually astonishing and surprising visitors, with uncommon flowering displays, unusual shapes and colours!

Finally, as Hedychiums appreciate soil that stays cool in summer, you can plant them near a pond, in company of ferns, Gunneras, ligularias, meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)… This will create a cool, natural atmosphere — an ideal garden spot for relaxation and to recharge.

→ Discover other pairing ideas with Hedychiums in our advice sheet !

Did you know?

• Cuba’s national emblem

The species Hedychium coronarium, known as Flor de Mariposa, is Cuba’s national flower, an emblem of resistance to Spanish occupation. As Mariposa means ‘butterfly’ (alluding to the shape of the flowers), this Hedychium is sometimes called ‘butterfly ginger’.