Variegated Shell Ginger

Variegated Shell Ginger (Alpinia zerumbet) is a tall, clumping tropical with broad leaves striped in green and gold. It reaches 2 to 3m tall and about 2m wide, and in summer it dangles pale pink and white flowers shaped like little shells. It brings a lush, jungle look to frost-free gardens and holds its foliage colour all year.

Why you'll love it

• Gold and green stripes. The big leaves are striped throughout, so the plant lights up a corner even when it is not in flower.
• Shell-shaped flowers. In summer, soft pink and white blooms hang in cascades, and each one recalls a small shell.
• Real scale. At up to 3m tall and 2m wide it gives a tropical-style garden structure and volume straight away.
• Brightens part shade. A natural understorey plant, it carries colour into spots where sun-lovers would struggle.
• Container friendly. In cooler climates it can live in a large pot that moves to shelter for winter.

Where it works best

Tropical-style gardens. Use it as a showy feature behind lower planting, leaving 2m clear around each plant for its full spread. Positions under palms or taller trees, away from harsh afternoon sun, suit it well.

Large pots in cooler climates. Grow it in a big container and shift the pot into shelter for winter, since frost damages it.

Courtyards and entries. The bold, upright shape and the cascading flowers suit a warm, sheltered courtyard, as long as the spot is frost-free.

Growing Variegated Shell Ginger in Australia

Position and climate. It does best in full sun to part shade, with protection from harsh afternoon sun and from frost. That makes it a plant for tropical and subtropical gardens. Where winters are cold, treat it as a container plant and give it shelter before the first frost.

Soil. Free draining soil enriched with compost, topped with mulch to keep the roots cool and moist.

Water and feed. Keep the mulch topped up and water regularly for around 12 weeks while the plant establishes. Afterwards, water often in dry spells and wherever it sits in more sun. An organic liquid fertiliser applied regularly drives lush new growth.

Pruning. When the clump turns untidy, cut the stems to ground level. New shoots replace the old ones, so a hard tidy-up is safe.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Variegated Shell Ginger as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, in 200mm pots in packs of 6 and in 300mm pots, sold singly. Tube stock arrives as a young shoot with a few leaves and builds into a clump with regular water and feeding. The potted sizes give a head start where you want height sooner. Our grower supplies the tube stock, and supply is not constant. If the tube shows as sold out, the grower has none at that moment, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it returns.

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
• Designing a tropical garden that looks lush year round
• More tropical plants
• Variegated foliage plants

Common questions

Can I grow it where it frosts?

Not in the ground. It prefers a position protected from frost, so in cooler climates grow it in a large container and move it to a sheltered spot for winter.

What if it looks tatty?

Prune the stems to the ground. New shoots replace the old ones, and regular liquid fertiliser helps them come back lush.

How much room does it need?

Allow about 2m of width and up to 3m of height. In a container it will stay smaller, but it still wants a large pot.