Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Grass
Tender Perennial
Origin
North America, United States, Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, South-Central United States, Texas, Canada, Mexico
Southeastern Asia, India, Melanesia, Micronesia
Types
Sorghastrum nutans
Variegata Dwarf, Variegata Chinese Beauty
Habitat
Grassland, low mountains, Semi desert, Woodlands
Tropical regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
4-9
8-15
Sunset Zone
7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
H1, H2, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Clump-Forming
Clump-Forming
Flower Color
-
White, Red, Light Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
Multi-Color
Leaf Color in Spring
Light Green, Blue Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Light Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Blue Green, Burgundy, Copper
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Tan
Dark Green
Leaf Shape
Linear
Lance shaped
Plant Season
Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Partial Sun, Partial shade
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Average
Average
Bloom Time
Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Tolerances
Drought, Salt
Drought
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings
By dividing rhizomes, tubers
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs
Requires plenty of water during the growing season
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Average
Average
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves, Requires very little pruning
Cut off the flower stalks at the base of the plant, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Fertilizers
No fertilizers needed
Apply 8-4-6 amount
Pests and Diseases
Insects
-
Plant Tolerance
Drought and Salt
Drought
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
Yes
Foliage Texture
Medium
Coarse
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Glossy
Attracts
Birds
Butterflies
Allergy
Skin irritation
Rash
Aesthetic Uses
-
Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
-
Good for skin
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification
Medicinal Uses
-
Antiulcerogenic, Diuretic, Hypotensive
Part of Plant Used
Whole plant
Leaves, Rhizomes
Other Uses
Used as Ornamental plant
Can be made into a herbal tea, Leaves used for wrapping zongi, Used to flavour noodles, Used to wrap mochi rice cakes
Used As Indoor Plant
No
Yes
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Dried Flower/Everlasting, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Wildflower
Container, Cutflower, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Tropical
Botanical Name
SORGHASTRUM nutans
ALPINIA zerumbet
Common Name
Indian Grass
Shell Ginger
In Hindi
भारतीय घास
Shell Ginger
In German
Indian Grass
Shell Ginger
In French
Herbe indienne
Shell Ginger
In Spanish
Hierba india
Shell jengibre
In Greek
Ινδικό Grass
Shell Τζίντζερ
In Portuguese
grama indianas
Shell Ginger
In Polish
Indyjski Trawa
Shell Imbir
In Latin
Indian Grass
Crusta Ginger
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Liliopsida
Lilopsida
Order
Poales
Zingiberales
Family
Poaceae
Zingiberaceae
Genus
Sorghastrum
Alpinia
Clade
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots
Season and Care of Indian Grass and Shell Ginger
Season and care of Indian Grass and Shell Ginger is important to know. While considering everything about Indian Grass and Shell Ginger Care, growing season is an essential factor. Indian Grass season is Summer, Fall and Winter and Shell Ginger season is Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Indian Grass is Clay, Loam, Sand and for Shell Ginger is Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Indian Grass is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline and for Shell Ginger is Acidic, Neutral.
Indian Grass and Shell Ginger Physical Information
Indian Grass and Shell Ginger physical information is very important for comparison. Indian Grass height is 90.00 cm and width 45.70 cm whereas Shell Ginger height is 180.00 cm and width 120.00 cm. The color specification of Indian Grass and Shell Ginger are as follows:
Indian Grass flower color:
Indian Grass leaf color: Light Green and Blue Green
Shell Ginger flower color: White, Red and Light Pink
- Shell Ginger leaf color: Dark Green
Care of Indian Grass and Shell Ginger
Care of Indian Grass and Shell Ginger include pruning, fertilizers, watering etc. Indian Grass pruning is done Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves and Requires very little pruning and Shell Ginger pruning is done Cut off the flower stalks at the base of the plant, Remove dead leaves and Remove dead or diseased plant parts. In summer Indian Grass needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water. Whereas, in summer Shell Ginger needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water.