How to Grow a Variegata Ginger Plant

Variegata ginger (Alpinia zerumbet), a type of shell ginger, is a dramatic perennial plant that displays clumps of lance-shaped leaves adorned with green and yellow stripes. Although the non-variegated variety of shell ginger reaches heights as tall as 10 feet at maturity, Variegata grows only to 3 to 4 feet. Shell ginger blooms year-around, but the pink-tipped white flowers are most plentiful during the summer months. The blooms of the Variegata cultivar have a pleasant, spicy aroma.

Things You'll Need

Shovel
Garden hose

General purpose or time-release fertilizer
Pruners or garden shears

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase Variegata ginger at a garden center or nursery. You also can propagate it by dividing an existing plant. Dig up a ginger and separate the plant by pulling the fleshy rhizomes apart with your hands.
- 2
  Plant Variegata ginger in moist, well-drained soil where the plant is exposed to partial shade or filtered sunlight. This cultivar is especially striking in in semi-shadow. Allow 24 to 36 inches between plants.
- 3
  Water regularly and keep the soil moist, but not soggy, until the plant is established – about a year. Established shell ginger is moderately drought-tolerant but benefits from regular watering during hot, dry weather. Provide about 1 inch of water every week to keep the plant from wilting.
- 4
  Feed Variegata ginger a general purpose, balanced fertilizer every month during spring and summer. Alternatively, apply a time-release fertilizer in spring and again in midsummer. For specific rates of application, refer to package instructions.
- 5
  Keep Variegata ginger neat and healthy by removing yellow foliage with pruners or garden shears whenever necessary. Cut spent blooms to the ground to promote continued blooming.

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