Shell ginger Alpinia zerumbet
Shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Zingiberaceae family, native to Southern China, Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands (forest margins). It grows 1.8–3 m (5.9–10 ft) tall and 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
Plan Shell ginger in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Shell ginger at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Zingiberaceae |
| Mature height | 1.8–3 m (5.9–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 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 low |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Southern China, Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands (forest margins) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇧🇷 Brazil |
Is Shell 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 Shell ginger
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
See Shell ginger in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (4 plants)
- Singapore Botanic Gardens (3 plants)
Questions about Shell ginger
- How far apart should I plant Shell ginger?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft).
- Does Shell ginger need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Shell ginger need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Shell ginger?
- It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Shell ginger flower?
- From about April for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Shell 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 Shell ginger?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Shell 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).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- Subtropical: roots survive light frost, but top growth is cut back below about −2 °C.
- Arching stems with drooping chains of porcelain-white, pink-tipped "shells" opening to a yellow and red lip.
- 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.
Related plants
- Ginger Zingiber officinale
- Turmeric Curcuma longa
- Galangal Alpinia galanga
- Torch ginger Etlingera elatior
- Red ginger Alpinia purpurata
- Beehive ginger Zingiber spectabile
- Siam tulip Curcuma alismatifolia
- White ginger lily Hedychium coronarium