Spiked Costus Plant Care
Costus spicatus (Jacq.) Sw.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Costus spicatus, also known as spiked spiralflag ginger or Indian head ginger, is a species of herbaceous plant in the Costaceae family. Common names in the Antilles include cumani, gengibre cimarron, gengibrillo, canne d’eau, and la canne de rivière.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect to partial shade
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Spiked Costus?
Water Spiked Costus every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Spiked Costus?
Spiked Costus (Costus spicatus) belongs to the Costaceae family within the Costus genus. Spiked Costus is also known as Indianhead Ginger, Red Button Ginger.
Spiked Costus displays a tall, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Spiked Costus produces showy, tubular flowers in vibrant colors like red, orange, or yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Spiked Costus?
Costus spicatus 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 Spiked Costus Need?
Spiked Costus thrives in bright indirect to partial shade. Avoid placing Spiked Costus in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Spiked Costus Prefer?
Costus spicatus grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Spiked Costus prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Spiked Costus?
Loose, well-draining soil mix with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Spiked Costus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Spiked Costus?
Feed Spiked Costus 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 Spiked Costus?
Repot every 1-2 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 Spiked Costus?
Spiked Costus can be propagated through division of rhizomes, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to redleaf costus plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Spiked Costus Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Spiked Costus, 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 Spiked Costus?
Spiked Costus is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, mealybugs. 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 Spiked Costus Need?
Spiked Costus grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Spiked Costus as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Spiked Costus 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 Costus genus — compare its care with other Costus species on PlantoScan.
Costus is part of the Costaceae plant family — browse all Costaceae genera and species.
Spiked Costus thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Costus Species
Other Costus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Costus spicatus (Jacq.) Sw., family Costaceae (first published in Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ. : 11 (1788)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Spiked Costus, 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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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