Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Tender Perennial
Tender Perennial
Origin
Southeastern Asia, India, Melanesia, Micronesia
Southern Africa
Types
Variegata Dwarf, Variegata Chinese Beauty
Perennial
Habitat
Tropical regions
Desert, Mediterranean region, Subtropical climates, Temperate Regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
8-15
8-10
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
H1, H2, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Clump-Forming
Clump-Forming
Flower Color
White, Red, Light Pink
Yellow, Light Yellow, Brown
Flower Color Modifier
Multi-Color
Bicolor
Fruit Color
-
Green, Brown
Leaf Color in Spring
Dark Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Dark Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Dark Green
Light Green
Leaf Shape
Lance shaped
Grass like
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Average
Average
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Indeterminate
Tolerances
Drought
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
By dividing rhizomes, tubers
Rhizome division, Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Requirements
Requires plenty of water during the growing season
Requires regular watering
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Average
Average
Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Cut off the flower stalks at the base of the plant, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
Apply 8-4-6 amount
Any balanced general purpose fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
-
Nematodes, Scale
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Fragrant Bark/Stem
Yes
No
Foliage Texture
Coarse
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Attracts
Butterflies
Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Allergy
Rash
Skin irritation
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin
-
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Ethnobotanic
Medicinal Uses
Antiulcerogenic, Diuretic, Hypotensive
-
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Rhizomes
Root
Other Uses
Can be made into a herbal tea, Leaves used for wrapping zongi, Used to flavour noodles, Used to wrap mochi rice cakes
Roots were worn to protect and strengthen the wearer, Used as Ornamental plant
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Cutflower, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Tropical
Bog Garden, Container, Feature Plant, Mixed Border, Tropical, Water Gardens
Botanical Name
ALPINIA zerumbet
DIETES bicolor
Common Name
Shell Ginger
African iris, Fortnight lily
In Hindi
Shell Ginger
African Iris
In German
Shell Ginger
Afrikanische Iris
In French
Shell Ginger
African Iris
In Spanish
Shell jengibre
Iris africano
In Greek
Shell Τζίντζερ
Αφρικανική Iris
In Portuguese
Shell Ginger
Iris africano
In Polish
Shell Imbir
Afryki Iris
In Latin
Crusta Ginger
African Iris
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Lilopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Zingiberales
Asparagales
Family
Zingiberaceae
Iridaceae
Clade
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots
Angiosperms, Monocots
Subfamily
Alpinioideae
Iridoideae
Season and Care of Shell Ginger and African Iris
Season and care of Shell Ginger and African Iris is important to know. While considering everything about Shell Ginger and African Iris Care, growing season is an essential factor. Shell Ginger season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and African Iris season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Shell Ginger is Loam, Sand and for African Iris is Clay, Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Shell Ginger is Acidic, Neutral and for African Iris is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline.
Shell Ginger and African Iris Physical Information
Shell Ginger and African Iris physical information is very important for comparison. Shell Ginger height is 180.00 cm and width 120.00 cm whereas African Iris height is 61.30 cm and width 30.50 cm. The color specification of Shell Ginger and African Iris are as follows:
Shell Ginger flower color: White, Red and Light Pink
Shell Ginger leaf color: Dark Green
African Iris flower color: Yellow, Light Yellow and Brown
- African Iris leaf color: Green and Gray Green
Care of Shell Ginger and African Iris
Care of Shell Ginger and African Iris include pruning, fertilizers, watering etc. 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 and African Iris pruning is done Remove dead leaves. In summer Shell Ginger needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water. Whereas, in summer African Iris needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water.