Variegated Shell Ginger | Alpinia Zerumbet

Alpinia zerumbet is a tender herbaceous perennial in the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) grown throughout the world for its attractive flowers and foliage. This plant native to open woodlands of tropical eastern Asia is frequently used as an annual foliage plant in colder climates, with a variegated cultivar native to India the most common type available in the Midwest. It is winter hardy in zones 8-10, although it may survive in zone 7 with winter protection.

Plants grow in upright clumps from heavy, fleshy rhizomes that look (and smell) like that of culinary ginger (Zingiber officinale). The rhizomes produce stout, slightly arching stems with evergreen leaves. Several dark green, lance-shaped leaves up to 2 feet long grow at intervals along the stems.
The species can grow up to 10 feet tall, but in gardens, and especially in northern areas where grown as an annual, they generally only get 3 or 4 feet tall. The cultivar ‘Variegata’ is a smaller, more compact plant featuring boldly, irregularly striped foliage. The leaves vary considerably in the amount of variegation, with some mostly green streaked with creamy yellow or gold, whereas others are primarily yellow with some green stripes.

Alpinia zerumbet produces an inflorescence on old growth, so flowers are usually not seen on plants grown as annuals or stored for the winter. Unlike most gingers, this species produces drooping racemes at the ends of the leafy stems rather than directly from the rhizomes. The waxy, funnel-shaped flowers are a pearly white tinged with light pink on the outside, but inside are bright yellow with red markings. It is the appearance of the flowers which resemble pearlescent seashells, especially when in bud, that inspired the common name of shell ginger. The flowers are slightly fragrant when in bloom. Sometimes flowers are followed by striated fruits.

Variegated shell ginger can be grown in large containers as a houseplant or patio plant (alone or in mixed containers) for a tropical effect. It can be planted in the ground as a striking specimen plant, or in masses as a bright backdrop for other flowering plants.

Combine it with dark foliage for dramatic contrast, and use it to brighten up a lightly shaded area. Mix variegated ginger with banana plants, castor bean (Ricinus communis) and elephant ears for an exotic foliage garden.
Grow variegated ginger outdoors in rich, moist soil with lots of organic matter in full sun to part shade. Wait until the threat of frost has passed to move containers outside or to plant in the ground.

Provide plenty of water during the growing season and do not allow the soil to dry out (but it shouldn’t be constantly soggy either). Plants in containers should be fertilized at least monthly. It has no significant pests and is not favored by deer. Rhizomes can be dug and stored over the winter. If keeping over the winter, they should be lifted after the first frost and stored in a dry area around 55ºF.

As a houseplant, variegated shell ginger needs bright light and does best in humid conditions. The leaves will brown on the edges if it does not have adequate moisture or gets too cold. Plants can be divided if they get too large for the container.
Shell ginger is usually available as potted plants, but sometimes can be purchased as bare rhizomes (which should be planted about an inch below the soil surface). The most commonly available cultivar is ‘Variegata’, but sometimes others can be found, including the even smaller cultivar ‘Variegata Dwarf’ which grows only to about 1 foot tall, but has the same green and yellow variegated foliage, and ‘Variegata Chinese Beauty’, which has light green and dark green marbled foliage and can grow up to 8 feet tall.