Purple roscoea (Himalayan ginger lily) Roscoea purpurea
Purple roscoea (Himalayan ginger lily) (Roscoea purpurea) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Zingiberaceae family, native to Himalaya (Uttarakhand, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan). It grows 25–50 cm (10–20 in) tall and 20–35 cm (8–14 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.
Plan Purple roscoea (Himalayan ginger lily) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Purple roscoea (Himalayan ginger lily) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Zingiberaceae |
| Mature height | 25–50 cm (10–20 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–35 cm (8–14 in) |
| Spacing | 25 cm (10 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Himalaya (Uttarakhand, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇮🇳 India |
Is Purple roscoea (Himalayan ginger lily) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
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 Purple roscoea (Himalayan ginger lily)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Purple roscoea (Himalayan ginger lily)
- How far apart should I plant Purple roscoea (Himalayan ginger lily)?
- About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–35 cm (8–14 in).
- Does Purple roscoea (Himalayan ginger lily) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Purple roscoea (Himalayan ginger lily) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Purple roscoea (Himalayan ginger lily)?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- When does Purple roscoea (Himalayan ginger lily) flower?
- From about July for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Purple roscoea (Himalayan ginger lily) 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. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Purple roscoea (Himalayan ginger lily)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Purple roscoea (Himalayan ginger lily). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora of Nepal (online flora and checklist), Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh with Nepalese and international partners
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- A plant of the cool, misty Himalayan and west Chinese mountains: it wants moist, humus-rich soil and shelter from hot sun and drying wind, and sulks in hot, humid summers.
- A hardy relative of ginger with orchid-like purple (or pink, white, bicoloured) hooded flowers among lance-shaped leaves in late summer. The tubers rest deep in the soil and do not appear until early summer; good for the front of a shady border or rock garden.
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