Also known as Ginger Lily · 66 gardener saves
Hedychium: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Hedychium, the genus most gardeners know as ginger lily. We track 16 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Hedychium varieties
Of 16 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedScarlet Ginger Lily
Hedychium coccineum
#2 most savedGinger Lily
Hedychium x hybrida 'Mutant'
#3 most savedGinger Lily Butterfly Ginger
Hedychium coronarium
Raffill's Ginger
Hedychium raffillii
Yellow Ginger Lily
Hedychium flavescens
Apple Court Ginger Lily
Hedychium coccineum 'Applecourt'
Kahili Ginger
Hedychium gardnerianum 'Compactum'
Hedychium 'Daniel Weeks' Ginger Lily
Hedychium gardnerianum 'Daniel Weeks'
Hybrid Ginger Pradhanii
Hedychium x hybrida 'Pradhanii'
Kahili Ginger
Hedychium gardnerianum 'King'
Hybrid Ginger Lily
Hedychium x hybrida 'Four Way'
Disney Ginger Lily
Hedychium coccineum 'Disney'
Browse all 16 Hedychium varieties →
How to grow Hedychium
What the Hedychium varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 16 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Hedychium year
- FertilizeMay–August100% of varieties
Apply a balanced, high-potash fertilizer every 6-8 weeks during growth
- Winter PrepOctober and November81% of varieties
Apply a thick 6-8 inch layer of mulch over the rhizomes for winter protection
- PlantApril and May69% of varieties
Plant rhizomes horizontally 1-2 inches deep after the last frost
- DivideMarch and April56% of varieties
Divide crowded clumps every 3-4 years in early spring
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March38% of varieties
Cut back old, dead stalks to the ground before new growth starts
- Lift & StoreOctober38% of varieties
Lift rhizomes after first frost blackens foliage; store cool and dry
Do
- Apply organic mulch to conserve moisture
- Water consistently to keep soil moist 🌱
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 💧
- Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds
- Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent rhizome rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t expose to full sun in hot climates
- Allow soil to dry out completely ❌
What goes wrong with Hedychium
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Use neem oil organic solution |
| Root rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap |
| Rhizome rot | Soft, decayed rhizomes | Ensure well-drained soil and reduce watering |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Fungal leaf spot | Spots on leaves | Remove affected foliage and apply fungicide |
Making more Hedychium
Rhizome division
- Dig up mature clumps in early spring.
- Divide rhizomes with a sharp knife into sections.
- Plant divisions 2 inches deep in prepared soil.
- Water thoroughly and keep moist for 2 weeks.
Seed sowing
- Collect seeds after flowering.
- Sow on surface of moist seed-starting mix.
- Cover lightly and keep in warm, bright location.
- Germination occurs in 4-6 weeks.
Hedychium questions
How many types of Hedychium are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 16 distinct Hedychium varieties. The most popular — ranked by 66 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Hedychium grow in?
Across its varieties, Hedychium covers USDA Zones 5–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Hedychium bloom?
Most Hedychium varieties bloom in mid-summer, late summer, late summer to fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Hedychium 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.
Keep exploring
Hedychium shows up in
Related genera
Design with Hedychium in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
