Hedychium coronarium

Butterfly ginger is a tropical herbaceous perennial in the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) native to Southern and Southeast Asia. The species epithet is a Latin word meaning “used for garlands.”

These plants prefer warm, moist, well-drained, humus-rich soils in full sun or partial or dappled shade. They do not tolerate standing water or continuously wet soil. In zones colder than Zone 8, butterfly ginger needs a thick, protective layer of mulch in the winter. Alternatively, the rhizomes can be dug and stored in a cool basement or garage over winter and replanted in the spring. These plants will remain evergreen in a warm greenhouse or conservatory.

Butterfly gingers grow from thick rhizomes and send up stems that grow 3 to 6 feet tall and form a clump 2 to 3 feet wide. They have tropical-looking foliage, and the flowers are very fragrant. They tend to be ignored by deer.

Use in groups, borders or containers for a tropical look. They would be at home in an Asian garden, children’s garden, sensory garden, shade garden, rain garden or pollinator garden. They make excellent conservatory plants. If grown in containers in cooler areas, they should be overwintered indoors in a greenhouse or cool, dry, frost-free location.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Scale and spider mites can be troublesome, especially indoors. 

More information on Hedychium.