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How to grow ginger lily (hedychiums)

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Hedychium 'Tara'. Getty Images

How to grow ginger lily (hedychiums)

Tamsin Hope Thomson

Published: Thursday, 5 December 2024 at 2:03 pm

Find out how to grow and care for ginger lily, in our guide.

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Plant Size:

Height: 200

Spread: 60

Ginger lilies are exotic perennials with bold foliage and spikes of bright flowers. They are often used in tropical style borders in combination with other dramatic plants, such as large-leaved cannas and bananas. The botanical name for ginger lilies is Hedychium, a genus that is native to parts of Asia, including Nepal and the Himalayas. The oval leaves are large, around 60cm long, and the plant itself can grow up to 2.5m tall, depending on the variety. This makes it a good choice for adding height to the middle or back of a border.

Ginger lily flowers can be white, yellow, orange or red, with a strong, sweet and spicy fragrance. They add late colour to the garden, bringing hot shades to borders and pots from August to October. They also make good cut flowers to bring indoors. Some ginger lilies are hardier than others. Hedychium 'Tara', for example, is hardy down to -10ºC but other varieties will not survive frost.

There are many varieties to choose from, including red ginger lily (Hedychium coccineum), which, despite its name, has flowers that are more orange than red, on tall stems, 2m or more tall. White ginger lily (Hedychium coronarium), grows up to 3m tall and has white, beautifully scented flowers. For a reliable, award-winning variety, try the Kahili ginger (Hedychium gardnerianum), which has pale yellow flowers and striking red stamens.

How to grow ginger lily

Grow ginger lilies in sun or partial shade in a warm location. Although these plants benefit from a warm, sheltered spot, they are best grown out of midday sun.

Where to grow ginger lily

Hedychium 'Assam Orange'. Paul Debois

Hedychium 'Assam Orange'. Paul Debois

Grow ginger lilies in borders that have rich soil. They will thrive in a sunny spot, or partial shade, and thrive best in sheltered humid conditions. Grow them in the shelter of a wall or corner of a sunny courtyard, where the soil does not dry out too much during the summer.

How to plant ginger lily

Plant the rhizomes after the danger of frosts has passed, around late May. Plant the rhizome horizontally just below the surface of the soil, spaced 30cm apart.

If planting indoors, plant in pots, in loam-based compost, just below the surface. Grow on under cover until the danger of frosts is over and then plant outdoors in a sunny spot.

How to care for ginger lily

Lay a thick mulch over the crown of ginger lilies in winter to protect them from the cold. Ginger lilies benefit from regular watering and feeding during the summer. If clumps of ginger lilies get congested, or you want to create new plants, divide ginger lilies in the spring and replant individual sections.

How to prune ginger lily

Cut back ginger lily in autumn after flowering has finished. Prune stems down to about 5cm from the ground.

Pests and diseases

Ginger lilies are generally pest free when grown outdoors, but may be susceptible to red spider mites and aphids when grown under glass.

Advice on buying ginger lily

If growing ginger lilies outdoors in cold regions choose a frost hardy variety such as Hedychium coccieneum 'Tara' or Hedychium densiflorum
Check rhizomes are firm and healthy before planting

Where to buy ginger lily

Frequently asked questions

Do ginger lilies like sun or shade?

Ginger lilies thrive in full sun or partial shade. In colder regions, it's advisable to grow them in a warm, sunny position, such as a south- or east-facing border.

Is ginger lily hardy?

It depends on the species. Some ginger lilies are tender and will need to be grown indoors in a conservatory or greenhouse, or brought indoors over winter. Other species are frost hardy and can can be grown outdoors in warm positions. Lay a thick mulch over the crown of plants in autumn to protect them over winter. The hardiest varieties include Hedychium coccineum 'Tara', which is hardy down to around -10ºC and Hedychium densiflorum, which is hardy down to -5ºC.

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