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