Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Tender Perennial
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
Origin
Southeastern Asia, India, Melanesia, Micronesia
Southern Africa, South Africa
Types
Variegata Dwarf, Variegata Chinese Beauty
Ornithogalum thyrsoides
Habitat
Tropical regions
marshes, Sandy flats, Slopes
USDA Hardiness Zone
8-15
7-10
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
21,22
Habit
Clump-Forming
Clump-Forming
Flower Color
White, Red, Light Pink
Orange, Gold
Flower Color Modifier
Multi-Color
Bicolor
Leaf Color in Spring
Dark Green
Green, Blue Green, Yellow green
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
Light Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Dark Green
Several shades of Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Dark Green
Light Green
Leaf Shape
Lance shaped
Succulent
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, 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
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
Early Spring, Spring, Winter, Late Winter
Tolerances
Drought
Drought
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
Container, Ground
How to Plant?
By dividing rhizomes, tubers
Bulbs, Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Requirements
Requires plenty of water during the growing season
Keep ground moist, Reduce watering in winter, Water three times weekly in summer
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
Well drained
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
Prune to control growth, prune to control shape, Prune to stimulate growth
Fertilizers
Apply 8-4-6 amount
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Fragrant Bark/Stem
Yes
No
Foliage Texture
Coarse
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Glossy
Attracts
Butterflies
Butterflies, Insects, pollinators
Allergy
Rash
Skin irritation, Skin rash, Toxic
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
Beautification, Cut Flowers, Showy Purposes, Used as an interior landscaping species, Used for decorating walls, fences, gates, hedges, etc.
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin
-
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification
Medicinal Uses
Antiulcerogenic, Diuretic, Hypotensive
-
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Rhizomes
Flowers
Other Uses
Can be made into a herbal tea, Leaves used for wrapping zongi, Used to flavour noodles, Used to wrap mochi rice cakes
Beneficial species for attracting pollinators, Showy Purposes, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for Landscaping
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Cutflower, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Tropical
Container, Cutflower, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall
Botanical Name
ALPINIA zerumbet
Ornithogalum thyrsoides
Common Name
Shell Ginger
Chincherinchee, Wonder-flower, Star-of-Bethlehem
In Hindi
Shell Ginger
Chincherinchee
In German
Shell Ginger
Kap-Milchstern
In French
Shell Ginger
Chincherinchee
In Spanish
Shell jengibre
Chincherinchee
In Greek
Shell Τζίντζερ
Ornithogalum thyrsoides
In Portuguese
Shell Ginger
Chinkerinchee
In Polish
Shell Imbir
Chincherinchee,
In Latin
Crusta Ginger
Chincherinchee
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Lilopsida
Liliopsida
Order
Zingiberales
Asparagales
Family
Zingiberaceae
Asparagaceae
Genus
Alpinia
Ornithogalum
Clade
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots
Angiosperms, Monocots
Tribe
Alpinieae
Ornithogaleae
Subfamily
Alpinioideae
Scilloideae