Blue Ginger
Blue Ginger or Dichorisandra thyrsiflora is a wonderful, tropical-looking plant which resembles ginger in growth and habit, but is actually a relative of the wandering Jew plant. The plant is native to the tropical woodlands of North, Central and South America. Of the family Commelinaceae they are cultivated for their striking blue flowers.
Plant Facts:
Common Name: Blue Ginger
Botanical Name: Dichorisandra thyrsiflora
Family: Commelinaceae
Plant Type: Erect, clump-forming, rhizomatous, soft-stemmed, evergreen perennial
Origin: Tropical Woodlands of North, Central and South America
Zones: 10-11
Height: to 8′
Rate of Growth: Medium
Salt Tolerance: Low
Soil Requirements: Fertile, well-drained soil
Water Requirements: Freely water when growing, just moist in winter
Nutritional Requirements: Balanced liquid fertilizer monthly
Light Requirements: Partial shade
Form: Erect ginger-like plant
Leaves: 2-ranked, dark-green to 7″ long
Flowers: Blue, sometimes white petals on terminal or axillary racemes
Fruits: Fleshy, orange-red
Pests or diseases: Anthracnose, Crown Rot, Southern Blight and Mealybugs
Uses: Specimen for shade garden
Bad Habits: None
Cost: $$ — reasonable
Propagation: Divide root or stem cuttings at any time
Sources (“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”): AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY A-Z ENCYCLOPEDIA OF GARDEN PLANTS; THE SUBTROPICAL GARDEN
