Alpinia galanga - Greater Galangal

The Alpinia galanga is better known as Greater galangal, it is a large rhizomatous perennial commonly used in aromatherapy and Asian cuisine, for its aromatic rhizome. It is also an easy to grow and hardier plant than one might think, which is not lacking in elegance and offers a pleasantly fragrant flowering. A bit like a giant canna, it forms a clump of large and long upright leaves larger than a man, from which emerge a few clusters of pale yellow highly fragrant flowers, in summer or autumn depending on the climate. Despite its origins and strongly tropical appearance, red ginger is capable of surviving short frosts of around -12°C, under a good protective mulch. Like many gingers, it appreciates partial shade, cool but loose and well-drained soils, and can be grown in the ground or in containers.

Native to Southeast Asia, more precisely tropical Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia etc.), Alpinia galanga is a rhizomatous perennial plant belonging to the Zingiberaceae family. Its vegetation, evergreen in suitable climates, is annual in open ground in climates which are subject to frost. It generally emerges from the ground in April and disappears in autumn. At maturity, a clump of Alpinia galanga will measure around 1.80m (6ft) in height. The knotty, fleshy and underground rhizome, reddish in colour on the surface, has characteristic circular rings. It emits pseudo-stems every year, which are actually tightly rolled leaves, like canna or banana plants. The large, fairly thin but thick leaves form two rows. Their colour is a fairly light green. The dense clump becomes fuller year after year. It flowers in summer or autumn depending on the climate, if the duration of our warm season is sufficient to induce flowering. The terminal cluster inflorescences protrude from the foliage, bearing many small fragrant flowers, ivory-white to pale yellow.

Red Ginger is ideal for adding a beautiful exotic and lush touch to the garden, in not too harsh climates. Planted in partial shade, alongside Hedychium and Colocasia, the exotic effect will be guaranteed! It will also find its place in a very large pot on the terrace, to be stored in cold regions. This Alpinia, evergreen in its original regions, is also an excellent decorative plant for the veranda all year round. Its fragrant flowers are highly appreciated in bouquets. Remember to place it in a partially shaded position and in a soil that remains moist.

Properties: The essential oil contained in the rhizome is called "Amali oil". Highly fragrant, it is used in traditional Asian medicine and modern aromatherapy to treat numerous conditions.