Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Tender Perennial
Tree
Origin
Southeastern Asia, India, Melanesia, Micronesia
Southeastern Asia, China
Types
Variegata Dwarf, Variegata Chinese Beauty
Brewster, Mauritius, Hak ip
Habitat
Tropical regions
Subtropical climates, Tropical regions, Warmer regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
8-15
10-11
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
H1, H2, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Clump-Forming
Oval or Rounded
Flower Color
White, Red, Light Pink
Light Yellow, Yellow green
Flower Color Modifier
Multi-Color
Bicolor
Fruit Color
-
Red, Magenta
Leaf Color in Spring
Dark Green
Red, Dark Green, Copper
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Dark Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Dark Green
Dark Green
Leaf Shape
Lance shaped
Long Linear
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Average
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Early Spring
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Ground
How to Plant?
By dividing rhizomes, tubers
Seedlings, Stem Planting, Transplanting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
High
Watering Requirements
Requires plenty of water during the growing season
Requires regular watering
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Twice a week
In Winter
Average Water
Regular watering required
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Average
Well drained
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
Prune after harvesting, Prune lower leaves, Prune to control growth
Fertilizers
Apply 8-4-6 amount
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize after blooming period
Pests and Diseases
-
Aphids, fungus, Leaf curl
Plant Tolerance
Drought
-
Flowers
Showy
Insignificant
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Fragrant Bark/Stem
Yes
No
Foliage Texture
Coarse
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Glossy
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin
-
Environmental Uses
Air purification
-
Medicinal Uses
Antiulcerogenic, Diuretic, Hypotensive
anti-allergy, Bone strength, Digestive disorders, Heart problems
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Rhizomes
Fruits
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 Food, 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
Edible, Feature Plant, Foundation, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Hedges, Shade Trees, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier, Tropical
Botanical Name
ALPINIA zerumbet
LITCHI chinensis
Common Name
Shell Ginger
Litchee, Litchi, Lychee
In Hindi
Shell Ginger
लीची
In German
Shell Ginger
Lychee
In French
Shell Ginger
Lychee
In Spanish
Shell jengibre
Lychee
In Greek
Shell Τζίντζερ
λίτσι
In Portuguese
Shell Ginger
lichia
In Polish
Shell Imbir
Lychee
In Latin
Crusta Ginger
Lychee
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Tracheophyta
Class
Lilopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Zingiberales
Sapindales
Family
Zingiberaceae
Sapindaceae
Genus
Alpinia
Litchi Sonn
Clade
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Subfamily
Alpinioideae
Sapindoideae