Crepe ginger Hellenia speciosa
Crepe ginger (Hellenia speciosa) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Costaceae family, native to India and southern China to Malesia, including Singapore (wet forest edges). It grows 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) tall and 1–1.8 m (3.3–5.9 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
Plan Crepe ginger in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Crepe ginger at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Costaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–1.8 m (3.3–5.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 13–26 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | India and southern China to Malesia, including Singapore (wet forest edges) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇨🇳 China |
| Invasive in | Hawaii, Puerto Rico (naturalised): check local rules before planting |
Is Crepe ginger toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported; the rhizome is used in traditional medicine.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Crepe ginger
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
See Crepe ginger in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Singapore Botanic Gardens (10 plants)
- Gardens by the Bay (8 plants)
Questions about Crepe ginger
- How far apart should I plant Crepe ginger?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–1.8 m (3.3–5.9 ft).
- Does Crepe ginger need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Crepe ginger need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Crepe ginger?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Crepe ginger flower?
- From about May for 13–26 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Crepe ginger poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported; the rhizome is used in traditional medicine.
- What grows well with Crepe ginger?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Crepe ginger. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical lowland plant: outdoors only where it never frosts (as in Singapore); elsewhere it needs a heated glasshouse.
- Syn. Costus speciosus. Stems spiral like a corkscrew; white crinkled flowers open from a cone of red bracts.
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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