Life Span
Perennial
  
Perennial
  
Type
Tender Perennial
  
Grass
  
Origin
Southeastern Asia, India, Melanesia, Micronesia
  
Northeastern United States, Southeastern United States, Central United States, South-Central United States, Mexico, Caribbean
  
Types
Variegata Dwarf, Variegata Chinese Beauty
  
Lindheimer's muhly
  
Habitat
Tropical regions
  
Prairies, Roadsides, Warmer regions
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
8-15
  
4-10
  
AHS Heat Zone
12-5
  
12 - 3
  
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
Habit
Clump-Forming
  
Clump-Forming
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
White, Red, Light Pink
  
Pink
  
Flower Color Modifier
Multi-Color
  
Bicolor
  
Fruit Color
Not Available
  
Non Fruiting Plant
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Dark Green
  
Green, Dark Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
  
Light Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Dark Green
  
Green, Dark Green, Brown
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Dark Green
  
Tan, Brown
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Lance shaped
  
Grass like
  
Thorns
No
  
No
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Growth Rate
Fast
  
Medium
  
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
  
Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall
  
Repeat Bloomer
No
  
No
  
Tolerances
Drought
  
Salt
  
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground, Pot
  
Ground
  
How to Plant?
By dividing rhizomes, tubers
  
Divison, Seedlings
  
Plant Maintenance
Medium
  
Low
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Requires plenty of water during the growing season
  
Water frequently while growing, Water more frequently during periods of extreme drought
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Lots of watering
  
In Spring
Moderate
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Average Water
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
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
  
Pruning
Cut off the flower stalks at the base of the plant, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
  
Prune when plant is dormant, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
  
Fertilizers
Apply 8-4-6 amount
  
No fertilizers needed
  
Pests and Diseases
No serious insect or disease problems
  
Aphids, Ladybug
  
Plant Tolerance
Drought
  
Drought
  
Flowers
Showy
  
Showy
  
Flower Petal Number
Single
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
No
  
No
  
Edible Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
Yes
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
No
  
Yes
  
Showy Bark
No
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Coarse
  
Fine
  
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
  
Matte
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
Yes
  
Yes
  
Attracts
Butterflies, Not Available
  
Ladybug beetles
  
Allergy
Rash
  
Not Available
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
  
Showy Purposes
  
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin
  
Not Available
  
Edible Uses
Yes
  
No
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification
  
Air purification, Shelter for wildlife
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
Antiulcerogenic, Diuretic, Hypotensive
  
No Medicinal Use
  
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, Container, Edging, Feature Plant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall
  
Botanical Name
ALPINIA zerumbet
  
MUHLENBERGIA capillaris
  
Common Name
Shell Ginger
  
Pink Muhly Grass
  
In Hindi
Shell Ginger
  
Muhly Grass
  
In German
Shell Ginger
  
hairawn muhly
  
In French
Shell Ginger
  
muhly herbe
  
In Spanish
Shell jengibre
  
muhly Grass
  
In Greek
Shell Τζίντζερ
  
Muhly Grass
  
In Portuguese
Shell Ginger
  
muhly grama
  
In Polish
Shell Imbir
  
Muhly Trawa
  
In Latin
Crusta Ginger
  
Muhly Grass
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
  
Magnoliophyta
  
Class
Lilopsida
  
Liliopsida
  
Order
Zingiberales
  
Cyperales
  
Family
Zingiberaceae
  
Poaceae
  
Genus
Alpinia
  
Muhlenbergia
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots
  
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots
  
Tribe
Alpinieae
  
Not Available
  
Subfamily
Alpinioideae
  
Not Available
  
Number of Species
Not Available
  
Not Available