Also known as Ginger Lily · 15 saves
Alpinia
Alpinia, the genus most gardeners know as ginger lily. We track 5 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 4 most-saved Alpinia varieties
Browse all 5 Alpinia varieties →
2 species of Alpinia
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Alpinia in Sow
Save the Alpinia you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Alpinia
Whats common across all Alpinia varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 5 most-grown of them.
The Alpinia year
- FertilizeApril–July80% of varieties
Feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
- Winter PrepOctober and November60% of varieties
Apply a thick layer of mulch after the first frost for winter protection.
- DivideMarch and April40% of varieties
Divide rhizomes in early spring every few years to propagate or control spread.
- Check for PestsJune–August40% of varieties
Inspect pseudostems for borer holes and check foliage bases for signs of fungal rot.
- Spring CleanupMarch40% of varieties
Rejuvenate frost-damaged or overgrown clumps by cutting them back hard to ground level.
Do
- Prune dead or damaged leaves
- Keep soil consistently moist 🌱
- Apply mulch to retain moisture
- Fertilize monthly during active growth
- Keep soil consistently moist, especially during dry summer spells.
Avoid
- Avoid drought stress ❌
- Don’t expose to full sun 🌞
- Don’t over-fertilize to prevent leaf burn
- Avoid heavy, waterlogged soil
What goes wrong with Alpinia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Ginger shoot borer | Larvae tunnel inside the growing pseudostems, causing wilted growing tips and preventing flowering. | Prune out and destroy infested stems at ground level, and encourage natural predators. |
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Mealybugs | White, cottony masses on stems and leaf axils. | Dab with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Use horticultural oil or a systemic insecticide. |
| Root Rot | Yellowing leaves and mushy roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Fungal leaf spot and root rot | Foliage spotting or rotting at the base of the plant. | Clear mulch away from the immediate base of the pseudostems, improve air movement, and avoid overhead watering. |
| Root rot | Yellowing leaves and mushy roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Alpinia
Rhizome division
- Dig up mature rhizomes in early spring.
- Divide rhizomes into sections with at least one eye each.
- Plant divisions 2 inches deep in prepared soil.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
- Allow 6 weeks for establishment.
Seed
- Harvest fresh, blue fruit and extract the seeds from the pulp.
- Sow seeds immediately into a moist, free-draining seed raising mix.
- Place the tray in a warm, shaded position and keep the medium consistently damp.
- Pot up individual seedlings once they develop several true leaves.
Alpinia questions
How many types of Alpinia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 5 distinct Alpinia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 15 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Alpinia grow in?
Across its varieties, Alpinia covers USDA Zones 7–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Alpinia bloom?
Most Alpinia varieties bloom in mid-summer, spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Alpinia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.