How to Grow Exbury Ginger

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Exbury Ginger

Hedychium × Exbury hybrids

flower

Exbury ginger is a hybrid Hedychium cultivar prized for its stunning, highly fragrant tropical flowers and ornamental foliage. These herbaceous perennials produce tall spikes of colorful blooms in shades of orange, red, yellow, or coral, often with contrasting stamens. They bring a bold, exotic aesthetic to temperate gardens and are increasingly popular in warmer regions.

Looking for a specific variety?

Exbury Apricot Exbury Orange Exbury Cream Exbury Rose Exbury Dwarf Pink Exbury Gold

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Example Exbury Ginger timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Exbury Ginger
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
First Exbury Ginger blooms
Mid-to-late summer

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Exbury Ginger dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun to partial shade; 6+ hours of direct sun daily for best blooming

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Water: Keep consistently moist during growing season (April-September); reduce in winter dormancy. Prefers humid conditions; water deeply but do not allow waterlogging

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Spacing: 24-36 inches

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Days to maturity: 120-150 days from sprouting to first flowers; may take 2-3 years to flower from rhizome

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Planting depth: 1-2 inches for rhizomes; plant with the growing eyes upward

Soil

Type: Well-draining, rich loamy soil with organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost aged manure peat moss perlite for drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 7b-10, with protection in zone 7; thrives in zones 8-9

7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b

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Growth Stages

Rhizome Dormancy & Sprouting

2-4 weeks

Plant is dormant underground as a rhizome (underground stem); in spring (late March-April), shoots begin to emerge from the rhizome

Plant rhizomes in spring after soil warms (60°F+). Keep soil lightly moist, not waterlogged. Ensure good drainage to prevent rot

Vegetative Growth

6-10 weeks

Tall, lance-shaped green leaves emerge on thick stems, 3-6 feet tall depending on variety. Plant builds foliage mass

Water consistently and maintain moisture. Apply balanced fertilizer monthly (10-10-10). Mulch around base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Provide stakes or support in windy areas

Bud Formation & Pre-flowering

2-3 weeks

At stem tips, flower buds form within sheath-like bracts; buds are visible as a tight cluster before opening

Switch to higher phosphorus fertilizer (e.g., 5-10-5) to encourage blooming. Ensure full sun exposure. Maintain consistent moisture and humidity

Flowering

4-8 weeks

Exotic, highly fragrant flowers open sequentially along tall spikes, displaying vibrant colors (orange, red, yellow, coral) with contrasting stamens. Peak bloom mid-summer to fall

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage extended blooming. Continue regular watering. Stake tall varieties if needed. Light afternoon shade in very hot climates prevents flower fade

Senescence & Dormancy

4-5 months

After frost (late October-November in zone 8-9), foliage yellows and dies back. Rhizome enters winter dormancy underground

Cut back dead foliage to ground level. Stop fertilizing. Reduce watering significantly. In zones 7-8, apply 4-6 inches of mulch to protect rhizomes from cold; in zones 9-10, light mulch is sufficient

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Cannas Elephant ears Bananas Hibiscus Japanese anemones Ferns Ornamental grasses Crocosmia

Avoid planting near:

Shallow-rooted perennials that compete for moisture Plants requiring dry conditions Allelopathic plants like black walnut

Common Pests

Spray foliage with water to increase humidity; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap if infestation is severe
Remove by hand or spray with dilute insecticidal soap; prune heavily infested stems
Prune affected stems; apply horticultural oil or neem oil in early spring before growth
Hand-pick early morning; use row covers if young; apply neem oil; avoid Japanese beetle traps nearby
and
Remove debris; use copper tape barriers; apply diatomaceous earth; beer traps or iron phosphate-based baits

Uses

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Cut Flowers & Floral Arrangements

Craft

The exotic, long-lasting flower spikes are prized in tropical and contemporary floral arrangements. Their intense fragrance and bold colors make them striking focal flowers that last 7-14 days in water. [source]

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Aromatic Flavoring (Rhizomes)

Culinary

Although grown primarily as ornamental, some Hedychium rhizomes have culinary uses in Asian cuisines. The rhizomes can be used fresh in curries, teas, and pickles, offering a warm, aromatic, slightly ginger-like flavor distinct from common ginger. [source]

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Traditional Herbal Medicine

Medicinal

In traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, Hedychium rhizomes are used for digestive support, anti-inflammatory properties, and to stimulate circulation. Modern research explores volatile oils (linalool, citral) in the plant for antimicrobial and antioxidant potential. [source]

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Fragrance & Perfumery

Household

The intensely fragrant flowers release an exotic, intoxicating scent used in perfumes and aromatherapy. Fresh flowers can perfume a room naturally; essential oils are extracted for high-end fragrances. [source]

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Pollinator & Hummingbird Plant

Wildlife

The vibrant, nectar-rich flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. It supports beneficial insects throughout the summer and fall bloom period. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Exbury ginger is grown as an ornamental for flowers and foliage, not harvested for food. Cut flowers for arrangements by snipping the entire flower spike at its base once flowers begin opening; they last 1-2 weeks in water. Allow some flowers to remain on the plant for garden display and to set seed if desired

Fun Facts

🌱 Exbury ginger varieties were developed at Exbury Gardens in Hampshire, England, through decades of selective hybridization of Hedychium species, creating more cold-hardy and fragrant cultivars than the wild species
🌱 The flowers release their strongest fragrance in the early evening and at night, likely an evolutionary adaptation to attract night-flying moths and insects in their native tropical habitats
🌱 Despite being called 'ginger,' Hedychium is not closely related to culinary ginger (Zingiber officinale); both are in the Zingiberaceae family but represent different genera with distinct characteristics

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Hybrid Mulch Partial Shade Perennial pH

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