Twister Ornamental Ginger

Twister Ornamental Ginger (Curcuma alismatifolia 'Twister') is a small curcuma, about 50cm tall and wide, with tulip-shaped flower bracts that are deep pink near the stem and shade to paler pink with green-white rims. The blooms last up to two months on the plant and keep well in a vase. It is made for pots and sheltered beds in sun to part shade.

Why you'll love it

• Deep pink fading to pale. The colour is strongest closest to the stem and softens towards the green-white rim of each petal, so every flower looks layered.
• Summer into autumn. Flowers open from midsummer and carry on through autumn, which keeps a pot or bed colourful for months.
• A cut flower that lasts. Stems have an extended vase life, so a few cut flowers bring a tropical feel indoors.
• Pot sized. At about 50cm tall and wide it sits happily in a container and can be moved to the sunniest or most sheltered spot.
• A simple seasonal rhythm. It dies back over winter and returns in the warmer months, with no pruning needed.

Where it works best

Pots near the house. A pot by a door or on a patio shows off the flowers at close range. Potted plants can be taken indoors for short periods, so rotate them for even light.

Garden beds. Plant 40cm apart in a sheltered bed with dappled light and let the clumps merge into a pink drift.

Cutting patch. Grow a small group for arrangements. The long-lasting flowers keep well in water.

Growing Twister Ornamental Ginger in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade in a sheltered position, protected from wind and frost. It is a tropical plant, so tropical and subtropical gardens suit it best, and warm temperate gardens can grow it through summer. Where winters are frosty, a pot that moves under cover is the safest way to keep it.

Soil. Plant in free-draining soil, or a good quality potting mix in a container. Heavy, wet ground in winter is the main hazard for a resting rhizome.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks, and keep up regular watering in dry periods. Apply a liquid fertiliser as soon as new shoots show in the warm months.

Pruning. Do not cut it back during the season. After winter dieback, remove the leaves only once they are completely brown, because the plant takes nutrients back into the rhizome from them.

What to expect when it arrives

Twister is supplied as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It is a seasonal line from our grower, so the tube is not always available. The tube shows as sold out when the grower has none, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back. A new plant starts small and settles in over the first few weeks, then builds 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

• Our ornamental ginger collection
• Tropical plants for warm gardens
• A guide to lush tropical garden design
• Plants for balconies and patios

Common questions

Can I cut the flowers?

Yes. Twister has an extended vase life, so it is a good choice for a small cutting patch or for a few stems in a vase.

Why has my ginger disappeared in winter?

It is resting. The leaves die back and the rhizome stays alive underground, ready to reshoot when the weather warms. Keep the pot or soil from being waterlogged while it sleeps.

How much sun does it need?

Full sun to part shade. It flowers best in a well lit spot, so give it a bright position out of the wind.