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Costus fissiligulatus
African Princess, Spiral Ginger, Cameroon CostusFamily: Costaceae
Origin: Tropical Africa
It is fairly shade tolerant, but will do well with filtered sun or semi shade. Costus fissiligulatus prefers regular watering and good soil drainage.
In the tropics where this plant is native it will reach a large shrub size of 5-10 ft tall, but in usually it will stay as a small shrub of 2-5 ft tall. The fluttery pink blooms are produced throughout the year and they are followed by yellow, orange, and cream colored fruits which have ethnomedical potential.
This plant is quite cold hardy. It is grown in USDA Zone 9-11 and can survive short periods at temperatures as low as 30s F.
Costus fissiligulatus makes for a beautiful and fairly easy care plant for any gardener. When grown in a pot, be sure to provide a rich, well-draining soil, water it regularly and provide adequate shade.
Similar plants:
- Costus afer (Spiral Ginger)
- Costus arabicus variegata, Costus amazonicus variegata (Variegated Spiral Ginger)
- Costus erythrophyllus (Ox Blood Costus, Red Wine Costus)
- Costus igneus, Chamaecostus cuspidatus (Insulin Plant, Fiery Costus, Spiral Flag)
- Costus lucanusianus (African Spiral Flag)
- Costus malortieanus (Stepladder Ginger)
- Costus productus (Costus)
- Costus sp. (Spiral Ginger)
- Costus speciosus, Cheilocostus speciosus (Crepe Ginger)
- Costus spicatus, Alpinia spicata (Red Button Ginger, Spiked Spiralflag, French Kiss)
Recommended Fertilizer: SUNSHINE Robusta - Rapid Growth Booster
SUNSHINE Robusta (NPK 2-1-3) - Vegetative Vigor Booster for every watering. Formulated especially for vegetative stage of plant development. Can be used for a quick build-up of vegetative growth, for establishing and recovering damaged plants that lost many leaves. This is an eco-friendly nutrition booster that can be used for edibles and organic gardens. Can be used for daily feeding with every watering. Scientifically-balanced stable formula is organic Amino-acid based and has NO EDTA chelators to eliminate nutrients lockup; it does not affect crop taste. Organic Amino acids greatly enhance stability of all Sunshine boosters and provide excellent absorption of trace elements. Pollinating insects friendly.
SUNSHINE Robusta (NPK 2-1-3) - Vegetative Vigor Booster for every watering. Formulated especially for vegetative stage of plant development. Can be used for a quick build-up of vegetative growth, for establishing and recovering damaged plants that lost many leaves. This is an eco-friendly nutrition booster that can be used for edibles and organic gardens. Can be used for daily feeding with every watering. Scientifically-balanced stable formula is organic Amino-acid based and has NO EDTA chelators to eliminate nutrients lockup; it does not affect crop taste. Organic Amino acids greatly enhance stability of all Sunshine boosters and provide excellent absorption of trace elements. Pollinating insects friendly.