Southern Wild Ginger Plant Care

Southern Wild Ginger (Stillingia sylvatica) belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family within the Stillingia genus. Southern Wild Ginger is native to the south-central and southeastern United States, growing in sandy areas such as sandhills and pine flatwoods. Southern Wild Ginger is also known as Wild Ginger, Cana, Queen's Delight.

Southern Wild Ginger displays an upright, branching shrub growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Southern Wild Ginger produces small greenish flowers in dense spikes.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Southern Wild Ginger every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Southern Wild Ginger thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Stillingia sylvatica tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Southern Wild Ginger prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Southern Wild Ginger to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Southern Wild Ginger every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Southern Wild Ginger is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Southern Wild Ginger can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 4 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Southern Wild Ginger while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Southern Wild Ginger is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Southern Wild Ginger can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pencil cactus plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Southern Wild Ginger 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.

Southern Wild Ginger grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Southern Wild Ginger is native to the south-central and southeastern United States, growing in sandy areas such as sandhills and pine flatwoods. In cooler regions, grow Southern Wild Ginger as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.