Alpinia zerumbet - Shell Ginger, Pink Porcelain Lily

Shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet) got its name from the pink and white buds which resemble sea shells. As the buds open up, the flowers show a yellow inside with a dark red pattern. The flowers appear in a tight cluster at the end of shoots, that grow head- high at maximum when planted in a pot. The shoots, also, are a tropical- lush decoration for large living- rooms or greenhouse. In summer, Shell ginger can be placed on the terrace: despite its tropical look it can adapt to sunny places as well as semi- shade. If you put the plant back into the house in autumn, most leaves will be kept. At temperatures below +5 °C it will loose most of the leaves and in spring the thick roots will grow new shoots.

Quality: exotic flowers; slender habit; foliage plant; robust & adaptable to various temperatures; hardy
Use: in pots from May to October outside on balcony, terrace and in the garden; all year in a greenhouse or bright room