Red Ginger Plant Care
Sulettaria surculosa (K.Schum.) A.D.Poulsen & Mathisen
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Sulettaria surculosa is a monocotyledonous plant species that was first described by Karl Moritz Schumann, and received its current name from Brian Laurence Burtt and Rosemary Margaret Smith. Sulettaria surculosa is part of the genus Sulettaria and the family Zingiberaceae.
Every 5–7 days
Bright indirect to partial shade
65–80°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Red Ginger?
Water Red Ginger every 5–7 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 60–80% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Red Ginger?
Red Ginger (Sulettaria surculosa) belongs to the Zingiberaceae family within the Sulettaria genus. Red Ginger is also known as Wild Ginger.
Red Ginger displays a clumping herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2.5 ft. Red Ginger produces showy bracts with small, tubular flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Red Ginger?
Sulettaria surculosa 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 Red Ginger Need?
Red Ginger thrives in bright indirect to partial shade. Avoid placing Red Ginger 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 Red Ginger Prefer?
Sulettaria surculosa grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Red Ginger prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
60–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Red Ginger?
Loose, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. 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 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 Red Ginger?
Red Ginger can be propagated through rhizome division, 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 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 Red Ginger Need?
Red Ginger grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Red Ginger as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
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 Sulettaria genus — compare its care with other Sulettaria species on PlantoScan.
Sulettaria 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: Sulettaria surculosa (K.Schum.) A.D.Poulsen & Mathisen, family Zingiberaceae (first published in Taxon 67:735. (2018)) — World Flora Online record.
- 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.
- 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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