Red Dragon Ginger Orchid

Red Dragon Ginger Orchid (Globba winitii 'Red Dragon') is a small tropical plant from the jungles of Indonesia and Thailand, related to the edible gingers. It grows about 50cm tall and 30cm wide and carries long, delicate strands of purple petals with slender yellow ones. It suits warm, moist, shady borders and bright rooms indoors. Despite the name, the flowers are purple rather than red.

Why you'll love it

• Orchid-like sprays. Fine, drooping strands of purple and yellow flowers look exotic against the green ginger-style leaves.
• Tropical shade colour. It carries colour into subtropical borders that sun-loving plants cannot reach.
• Happy indoors. It often flowers well in a pot inside, which makes it useful for homes without a garden.
• Small footprint. At 30cm wide it fits narrow beds, courtyards and pots.
• A talking point. The long, unusual flower strands draw questions from visitors, and the plant is easy to place.

Where it works best

Subtropical garden borders. Plant 30cm apart in a shaded bed under trees or beside a wall, where the sprays can be seen at close range.

Underplanting. It fills the ground beneath palms and larger gingers, in moist, humus-rich shade.

Pots indoors. Use a pot in a bright, warm spot out of direct sun. Moisture in the air helps flowering, so a bathroom with a window suits it.

Growing Red Dragon Ginger Orchid in Australia

Position and climate. Warm, moist and shady. It is a tropical and subtropical plant and is frost tender, so in southern or high-altitude gardens grow it in a pot and keep it inside during winter. It may die back in the cooler months and reshoot as the weather warms.

Soil. Humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil, mulched to keep the roots cool and damp.

Water and feed. Water regularly until the plant is established, usually around 12 weeks. For the longest flowering and lush new growth, give extra water in dry periods and feed with a diluted liquid fertiliser each month.

Pruning. None needed. Snip off finished flower stems and browned leaves.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Red Dragon Ginger Orchid as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Expect a small plant with a few leaves. It travels upright in its tube and settles quickly into a moist, warm, shaded spot. Flowering follows once it has built up size and the weather is warm.

Our grower lists this one seasonally, usually early in the year, and tubes sell out. If the tube shows as sold out, use the notify button on the page and we will email you the day it is back.

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

• Our ornamental ginger range
• More tropical plants
• House and indoor plants
• Designing a lush tropical garden

Common questions

Why are the flowers purple if it is called Red Dragon?

The name is a quirk of the cultivar. The flowers are purple with long yellow petals, and they look good against green ginger-like foliage.

Does it need a lot of water?

It likes to stay moist. Water regularly while it establishes, around 12 weeks, then give extra water in dry spells and feed monthly with a diluted liquid fertiliser.

Will it grow in a cool climate?

Only in a pot that you bring inside. It is a tropical plant and is frost tender, so outdoors it suits the tropics and subtropics.