Photo: zebedeugalinhaCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Red Ginger Plant Care
Alpinia purpurata (Vieill.) K.Schum.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Alpinia purpurata, commonly referred to as red ginger, ostrich plume and pink cone ginger, is a ginger native to Maluku and the southwest Pacific islands. In typical ginger fashion, A.
Every 7–10 days
Partial shade to full sun
60–85°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Red Ginger?
Water Red Ginger every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Red Ginger Native To?
What Is the Red Ginger?
Red Ginger (Alpinia purpurata) belongs to the Zingiberaceae family within the Alpinia genus. Red Ginger is native to Maluku and the southwest Pacific islands. Red Ginger is also known as Ostrich Plume Ginger, Hawaiian Ginger.
Red Ginger displays a tall, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Red Ginger produces showy clusters of white, pink, or red flowers with prominent yellow stamens.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Red Ginger?
Alpinia purpurata requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Red Ginger Need?
Red Ginger thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Red Ginger Prefer?
Alpinia purpurata grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Red Ginger prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Red Ginger?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Red Ginger to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Red Ginger?
Feed Red Ginger every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Red Ginger?
Repot every 2-3 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Red Ginger?
Red Ginger can be propagated through division of rhizomes, seeds.
Is the Red Ginger Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Red Ginger, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Red Ginger?
Red Ginger is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Red Ginger Need?
Red Ginger grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Red Ginger is native to Maluku and the southwest Pacific islands. In cooler regions, grow Red Ginger as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 9b – 12b
Keep exploring plants
Red Ginger is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Alpinia genus — compare its care with other Alpinia species on PlantoScan.
Alpinia is part of the Zingiberaceae plant family — browse all Zingiberaceae genera and species.
Red Ginger thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Alpinia purpurata (Vieill.) K.Schum., family Zingiberaceae (first published in Pflanzenr. IV 46 (Heft 20):323. (1904)) — World Flora Online record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Red Ginger, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: zebedeugalinha, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9b – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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