Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Tender Perennial
Grass
Origin
Southeastern Asia, India, Melanesia, Micronesia
Southern Europe
Types
Variegata Dwarf, Variegata Chinese Beauty
Arundo, Carrizo
Habitat
Tropical regions
Saline Soils, Sandy areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
8-15
6-10
AHS Heat Zone
12-5
12 - 1
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Clump-Forming
Upright/Erect
Flower Color
White, Red, Light Pink
Not Available
Flower Color Modifier
Multi-Color
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Not Available
Not Available
Leaf Color in Spring
Dark Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
Light Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Dark Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Dark Green
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Shape
Lance shaped
Linear
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Very Fast
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
Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall
Tolerances
Drought
Wet Site, Drought, Salt
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
By dividing rhizomes, tubers
From Rhizomes, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Requirements
Requires plenty of water during the growing season
Requires a lot of 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
Pruning
Cut off the flower stalks at the base of the plant, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Do not prune during shooting season, Prune after harvesting, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
Apply 8-4-6 amount
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring
Pests and Diseases
No serious insect or disease problems
Not Available
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Fragrant Bark/Stem
Yes
No
Foliage Texture
Coarse
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Attracts
Butterflies, Not Available
Bees, Birds, Hummingbirds
Allergy
Rash
allergic conjunctivitis, flushing of face, wheezing
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
Beautification, Bonsai
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin
Making cosmetics, Skin cleanser
Edible Uses
Yes
Sometimes
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Agroforestry, Air purification, Nesting sites for birds, No fertilizer, pesticides, or herbicides needed, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shadow Tree, soil stabilisation
Medicinal Uses
Antiulcerogenic, Diuretic, Hypotensive
Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emmoiliant
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Rhizomes
Bark, Sap
Other Uses
Can be made into a herbal tea, Leaves used for wrapping zongi, Used to flavour noodles, Used to wrap mochi rice cakes
Basketary, Showy Purposes, Used in making musical instruments, Wood is used in construction
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
Sometimes
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Cutflower, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Tropical
Container, Cutflower, Dried Flower/Everlasting, Feature Plant, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Tropical, Water Gardens
Botanical Name
ALPINIA zerumbet
ARUNDO donax
Common Name
Shell Ginger
Giant Reed
In Hindi
Shell Ginger
नरकट
In German
Shell Ginger
Pfahlrohr
In French
Shell Ginger
Arundo donax
In Spanish
Shell jengibre
Arundo donax
In Greek
Shell Τζίντζερ
Arundo donax
In Portuguese
Shell Ginger
Cana-do-reino
In Polish
Shell Imbir
Lasecznica trzcinowata
In Latin
Crusta Ginger
Arundo donax
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Angiosperms
Class
Lilopsida
Liliopsida
Order
Zingiberales
Cyperales
Family
Zingiberaceae
Poaceae
Clade
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots
Commelinids
Tribe
Alpinieae
Not Available
Subfamily
Alpinioideae
Not Available
Number of Species
Not Available
Not Available
Season and Care of Shell Ginger and Giant Reed
Season and care of Shell Ginger and Giant Reed is important to know. While considering everything about Shell Ginger and Giant Reed Care, growing season is an essential factor. Shell Ginger season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Giant Reed season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Shell Ginger is Loam, Sand and for Giant Reed is Clay, Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Shell Ginger is Acidic, Neutral and for Giant Reed is Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline.
Shell Ginger and Giant Reed Physical Information
Shell Ginger and Giant Reed physical information is very important for comparison. Shell Ginger height is 180.00 cm and width 120.00 cm whereas Giant Reed height is 18.00 cm and width 150.00 cm. The color specification of Shell Ginger and Giant Reed are as follows:
Shell Ginger flower color: White, Red and Light Pink
Shell Ginger leaf color: Dark Green
Giant Reed flower color: Not Available
- Giant Reed leaf color: Green and Gray Green
Care of Shell Ginger and Giant Reed
Care of Shell Ginger and Giant Reed 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 Giant Reed pruning is done Do not prune during shooting season, Prune after harvesting, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches and Remove dead leaves. In summer Shell Ginger needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water. Whereas, in summer Giant Reed needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water.