Costus barbatus - Spiral Ginger

Family: Costaceae

Common Name(s): Spiral Ginger

Native to: Tropical Americas

Flowering: Summer

Watering: Requires moderate watering

Planting Aspect: Full sun to part shade

Preferred Climate:

 

Temperate, Subtropical, Grassland

Description

Clump forming evergreen perennial with large flowerheads of overlapping green bracts tinged red and white with yellow centres and silky crepe petals. Edible yellow tubular flowers emerge daily from between these inflorescence bracts which can stay coloured for months. It has ginger like elliptic leaves which spiral up the slender cane-like stems to a height of 2.4metres.

Although most Costus are only suitable for planting outdoors in tropical or sub-tropical regions, barbatus is a cold tolerant, tough as nails variety and will perform well even in cooler climates. In cold climates they can be raised indoors where they can be given high heat and humidity.

Cultivation