Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Perennial
Tender Perennial
Origin
Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, South-Central United States, Southwestern United States, Texas, Canada, Mexico
Southeastern Asia, India, Melanesia, Micronesia
Types
Ratibida columnifera
Variegata Dwarf, Variegata Chinese Beauty
Habitat
Dry areas, Prairies, Rocky areas, rocky outcrops
Tropical regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
3-10
8-15
Sunset Zone
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
H1, H2, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Upright/Erect
Clump-Forming
Flower Color
Yellow, Purple, Burgundy, Light Green, Brown
White, Red, Light Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
Multi-Color
Leaf Color in Spring
Light Green, Gray Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Light Green, Gray Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Light Green, Gray Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Light Green
Dark Green
Leaf Shape
Subulate
Lance shaped
Plant Season
Summer
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun
Partial Sun, Partial shade
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Average
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Tolerances
Drought
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, Water in morning to avoid prompting diseases
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
Neutral
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Average
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Cut or pinch the stems, Pinch Tips, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead flowers, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Remove deadheads
Cut off the flower stalks at the base of the plant, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Apply N-P-K
Apply 8-4-6 amount
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free, Red blotch
-
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry Conditions, Dry soil, Full Sun
Drought
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
Yes
Foliage Texture
Fine
Coarse
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Glossy
Attracts
Birds, Butterflies
Butterflies
Aesthetic Uses
Borders
Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
-
Good for skin
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification
Medicinal Uses
Analgesic
Antiulcerogenic, Diuretic, Hypotensive
Part of Plant Used
Flowers
Leaves, Rhizomes
Other Uses
Can be made into a herbal tea, Used in making tea
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
Container, Cutflower, Mixed Border, Wildflower
Container, Cutflower, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Tropical
Botanical Name
RATIBIDA columnifera
ALPINIA zerumbet
Common Name
Mexican Hat
Shell Ginger
In Hindi
Mexican Hat
Shell Ginger
In German
Mexican Hat
Shell Ginger
In French
Mexican Hat
Shell Ginger
In Spanish
mexican Hat
Shell jengibre
In Greek
Mexican Hat
Shell Τζίντζερ
In Portuguese
Mexican Hat
Shell Ginger
In Polish
Mexican Hat
Shell Imbir
In Latin
Mexicanus Hat
Crusta Ginger
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Lilopsida
Order
Asterales
Zingiberales
Family
Asteraceae
Zingiberaceae
Clade
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots
Season and Care of Mexican Hat and Shell Ginger
Season and care of Mexican Hat and Shell Ginger is important to know. While considering everything about Mexican Hat and Shell Ginger Care, growing season is an essential factor. Mexican Hat season is Summer and Shell Ginger season is Summer. The type of soil for Mexican Hat is Loam, Sand and for Shell Ginger is Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Mexican Hat is Neutral and for Shell Ginger is Acidic, Neutral.
Mexican Hat and Shell Ginger Physical Information
Mexican Hat and Shell Ginger physical information is very important for comparison. Mexican Hat height is 30.00 cm and width 30.50 cm whereas Shell Ginger height is 180.00 cm and width 120.00 cm. The color specification of Mexican Hat and Shell Ginger are as follows:
Mexican Hat flower color: Yellow, Purple, Burgundy, Light Green and Brown
Mexican Hat leaf color: Light Green and Gray Green
Shell Ginger flower color: White, Red and Light Pink
- Shell Ginger leaf color: Dark Green
Care of Mexican Hat and Shell Ginger
Care of Mexican Hat and Shell Ginger include pruning, fertilizers, watering etc. Mexican Hat pruning is done Cut or pinch the stems, Pinch Tips, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead flowers, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts and Remove deadheads 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 Mexican Hat 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.