Kencur (aromatic ginger) Kaempferia galanga
Kencur (aromatic ginger) (Kaempferia galanga) is a deciduous perennial herb in the Zingiberaceae family, native to South and South-east Asia. It grows 5–15 cm (2–6 in) tall and 15–30 cm (6–12 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about 12 °C (54 °F). Space plants about 20 cm (8 in) apart.
Plan Kencur (aromatic ginger) in your garden →
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Kencur (aromatic ginger) at a glance
| Type | Perennial herb, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Zingiberaceae |
| Mature height | 5–15 cm (2–6 in) |
| Mature spread | 15–30 cm (6–12 in) |
| Spacing | 20 cm (8 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 12 °C (54 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | about 9–14 weeks after planting, for 6–11 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: rhizomes (jamu drinks, beras kencur, sambal), leaves |
| Native to | South and South-east Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇮🇳 India |
Is Kencur (aromatic ginger) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
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 Kencur (aromatic ginger)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Kencur (aromatic ginger)
- How far apart should I plant Kencur (aromatic ginger)?
- About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 15–30 cm (6–12 in).
- Does Kencur (aromatic ginger) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Kencur (aromatic ginger) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Kencur (aromatic ginger)?
- It tolerates about 12 °C (54 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Kencur (aromatic ginger) flower?
- About 9–14 weeks after planting, for 6–11 weeks.
- Is Kencur (aromatic 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 in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Kencur (aromatic ginger)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Kencur (aromatic ginger). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- PROSEA: Plant Resources of South-East Asia, PROSEA Foundation, Bogor
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Two round leaves lie flat on the soil; white flowers with a violet spot. Dormant in the dry season.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Ginger Zingiber officinale
- Turmeric Curcuma longa
- Galangal Alpinia galanga
- Torch ginger Etlingera elatior
- Shell ginger Alpinia zerumbet
- Red ginger Alpinia purpurata
- Beehive ginger Zingiber spectabile
- Siam tulip Curcuma alismatifolia