Giant Ruby Ornamental Ginger

Giant Ruby Ornamental Ginger (Curcuma hybrid 'Giant Ruby') is a compact tropical ginger, also called Siam tulip for its tulip-shaped flower heads. Large deep pink-red bracts with darker tips stay on the plant for up to two months, and the whole plant reaches only about 50cm tall and wide. In a sheltered spot it gives colour from summer into autumn.

Why you'll love it

• Tulip-shaped flower heads. The large, deep pink-red bracts with darker tips can last up to two months on the plant.
• Hidden true flowers. The real lavender-purple flowers nestle inside the bracts along the stem, a detail worth a close look.
• A long season. Flowers are produced from late spring through to autumn.
• Compact size. Up to 50cm tall and wide, it fits borders, pots and gaps under taller plants.
• Happy in dappled light. It suits tropical style gardens and underplanting where the light is filtered.

Where it works best

Tropical style gardens. Plant 40cm apart in a sheltered border for a drift of pink-red tulips. Pair it with broad-leaved foliage plants for contrast.

Pots and patios. A large pot suits it well. Potted plants can come indoors for short periods, and rotating them gives each side a turn in the light.

Underplanting in dappled light. Tuck it under palms or tall shrubs where the sun is filtered, but not in deep shade, which cuts the flowering.

Growing Giant Ruby Ornamental Ginger in Australia

Position and climate. A sunny to partly shaded spot, sheltered from wind and frost. These gingers come from Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam, so they thrive in tropical and subtropical gardens and as summer plants in warm temperate ones. In frosty districts, grow it in a pot and keep it under cover through winter.

Soil. Free-draining soil. A generous layer of mulch keeps the rhizomes moist and cool in summer.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established, usually around 12 weeks, and keep watering through dry periods. At the first sign of new shoots in spring, apply a liquid fertiliser.

Pruning. The plant dies back in winter. Resist tidying the untidy leaves until they are completely brown, because the nutrients are drawn back into the rhizome for the next season.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Giant Ruby Ornamental Ginger as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Curcuma is a seasonal line from our grower, so the tube is not always available. It shows as sold out when the grower has none, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back. Expect a small young plant that grows into a flowering clump as the weather warms.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse our ornamental gingers
• Tropical plants
• Plants for pots
• Designing a tropical garden that looks lush year-round

Common questions

Where are the real flowers?

The small lavender-purple true flowers sit inside the big pink-red bracts along the stem. The bracts are the showy part you see from across the garden.

What happens in winter?

The plant dies back. Leave the old leaves until they are completely brown, then feed it with liquid fertiliser as soon as new shoots appear in spring.

Can I grow it indoors?

Potted plants can come indoors for short periods, but they do best outside in a bright, sheltered position. Rotate the pot so each side gets plenty of light.