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Hedychium gardnerianum (Kahili Ginger)

Kahili Ginger, Kahili Ginger Lily, Ginger Lily, Yellow Ginger Lily, Kahila Garland-Lily, Kahili Garland Lily

AGM Award
Hedychium gardnerianum, Kahili Ginger, Kahili Ginger Lily, Ginger Lily, Yellow Ginger Lily, Kahila Garland-Lily, Kahili Garland Lily, Perennial Plants, Perennial Flowers, Exotic Flowers
Kahili Ginger, hedychium gardnerianum, Tropical Flowers, Tr
Kahili Ginger, hedychium gardnerianum, Tropical Flowers, Tropical Plants
Hedychium gardnerianum, Kahili Ginger, Kahili Ginger Lily, Ginger Lily, Yellow Ginger Lily, Kahila Garland-Lily, Kahili Garland Lily, Perennial Plants, Perennial Flowers, Exotic Flowers
Hedychium gardnerianum, Kahili Ginger, Kahili Ginger Lily, Ginger Lily, Yellow Ginger Lily, Kahila Garland-Lily, Kahili Garland Lily, Perennial Plants, Perennial Flowers, Exotic Flowers
Hedychium gardnerianum, Kahili Ginger, Kahili Ginger Lily, Ginger Lily, Yellow Ginger Lily, Kahila Garland-Lily, Kahili Garland Lily, Perennial Plants, Perennial Flowers, Exotic Flowers

A popular landscape ornamental plant, award-winning Hedychium gardnerianum (Kahili Ginger) is an upright rhizomatous perennial boasting cylindrical spikes, up to 18 in. long (45 cm), packed with up to 50 fragrant, lemon-yellow flowers, 3 in. wide (7 cm). A long and prominent red stamen emerges from each yellow flower, giving the inflorescence a striking appearance. Blooming in late summer and early fall, the showy blossoms are borne at the tips of upright stems and rise above the equally dramatic foliage of gray-green, lance-shaped, leathery leaves up to 1 ft. long (30 cm). The foliage looks great, even not in bloom, on patios or decks with a tropical theme. The flowers give way to small capsules that split open when mature to reveal bright orange inner surfaces and bright red seeds. One of the hardiest hedychiums, Kahili Ginger is a bold and architectural perennial that brings an exotic touch to the garden and containers. Kahili Ginger ranks as a top choice among tropical flowers for enthusiasts and gardeners.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Grows up to 5-6 ft. high (150-180 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm). Kahili Ginger reproduces by seed and also vegetatively via its creeping underground rhizomes.
  • Performs best in full sun or part shade in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils. Shelter from cold winds. Apply a deep mulch of garden compost or leaf mold to protect your plant in frost-prone areas. Kahili Ginger can withstand temperatures between 10–20°F (-12 to -16°C) with mulching.
  • A pretty addition to beds and borders, containers, wall-side borders, coastal gardens, cottage gardens, or Mediterranean gardens. This is a vigorous plant with large rhizomes that can easily break containers if they do not have sufficient room for the roots, so use large, sturdy containers.
  • Virtually disease free. Keep an eye out for glasshouse red spider mites and aphids.
  • Cut back the foliage and old flower spikes at the end of the season.
  • Propagate by seed at 21-24°C (70-75°F) as soon as ripe. Divide rhizomes in spring.
  • Native to the Himalayas in India, Nepal, and Bhutan. It has naturalized in other areas, including the Caribbean and Hawaii, and is considered an invasive species in some parts of the world.

Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 10
Heat Zones 9 - 11
Climate Zones 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Zingiberaceae
Genus Hedychium
Common names Ginger Lily
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Height 5' - 6'
(150cm - 180cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 30" (80cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Hedychium flavescens (Yellow Ginger Lily)
Hedychium coronarium (White Ginger Lily)
Hedychium ‘Tara’ (Ginger Lily)
Hedychium ellipticum (Rock Butterfly Lily)
Hedychium densiflorum (Dense Ginger Lily)
Hedychium ‘Tahitian Flame’ (Variegated Ginger Lily)

Recommended Companion Plants

Dicksonia antarctica (Soft Tree Fern)
Colocasia esculenta ‘Blue Hawaii’ (Taro)
Ricinus communis ‘Carmencita’ (Castor Oil Plant)
Crocosmia (Montbretia)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

40 Tropical Plants for Your Outdoor Garden
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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 10
Heat Zones 9 - 11
Climate Zones 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Zingiberaceae
Genus Hedychium
Common names Ginger Lily
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Height 5' - 6'
(150cm - 180cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 30" (80cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Hedychium (Ginger Lily) to pick?
Compare Now

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