Photo: fmunozCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Scarlet Ginger Lily Plant Care
Hedychium coccineum Buch.-Ham. ex Sm.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is known for its striking bright orange-red flowers that resemble torches, adding a vibrant pop of color to any garden. Originating from the Himalayas and India, Hedychium coccineum is highly sought after by plant collectors for its unique beauty and tropical appearance.
Every 5–7 days
Partial shade to full sun
60–85°F
50–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Scarlet Ginger Lily?
Water Scarlet Ginger Lily every 5–7 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 50–80% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Scarlet Ginger Lily Native To?
What Is the Scarlet Ginger Lily?
Scarlet Ginger Lily (Hedychium coccineum) belongs to the Zingiberaceae family within the Hedychium genus. Scarlet Ginger Lily is native to southern China, the Himalayas, India and Indochina. Scarlet Ginger Lily is also known as Red Ginger Lily.
Scarlet Ginger Lily displays a tall, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Scarlet Ginger Lily produces showy, fragrant flowers in various colors like orange, yellow, white.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Scarlet Ginger Lily?
Hedychium coccineum requires watering every 5–7 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 5–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Scarlet Ginger Lily Need?
Scarlet Ginger Lily thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Scarlet Ginger Lily Prefer?
Hedychium coccineum grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Scarlet Ginger Lily prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
50–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Scarlet Ginger Lily?
Rich, well-draining soil with added compost and organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Scarlet Ginger Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Scarlet Ginger Lily?
Feed Scarlet Ginger Lily 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 Scarlet Ginger Lily?
Repot every 1-2 years in early 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 Scarlet Ginger Lily?
Scarlet Ginger Lily can be propagated through division of rhizomes, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to white ginger lily plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Scarlet Ginger Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Scarlet Ginger Lily, 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 Scarlet Ginger Lily?
Scarlet Ginger Lily is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. 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 Scarlet Ginger Lily Need?
Scarlet Ginger Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7b – 11a. It survives winters down to planting zone 7b. Scarlet Ginger Lily is native to southern China, the Himalayas, India and Indochina.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 7b – 11a
Keep exploring plants
Scarlet Ginger Lily 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 Hedychium genus — compare its care with other Hedychium species on PlantoScan.
Hedychium is part of the Zingiberaceae plant family — browse all Zingiberaceae genera and species.
Scarlet Ginger Lily thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Hedychium Species
Other Hedychium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Hedychium coccineum Buch.-Ham. ex Sm., family Zingiberaceae (first published in in Rees A., Cycl. 17 (2):Hedychium no. 5. (1811)) — World Flora Online record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Scarlet Ginger Lily, 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: fmunoz, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 7b – 11a, 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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