Ginger and Heliconia plants

Galanga, Galanga Root, Lesser Galangal, Thai ginger is more than just a fast growing ornamental ginger and flavorful root - it's also a powerful healing plant with centuries of use in both kitchens and traditional medicine. It supports digestion, reduces inflammation, boosts circulation, and helps fight infections with its natural antimicrobial properties. Rich in antioxidants, galangal may also support brain health and relieve respiratory issues. A must-have plant for both cooking and wellness.
It has long narrow leaves and reddish-white flowers. Galanga is an herb used in cooking, especially in Indonesian and Thai cuisines. The rhizomes, known as galangal, are valued for their spicy flavor and aromatic scent. These are used throughout Asia in curries and perfumes, and were previously used widely in Europe.

Chinese ginger, Fingerroot. Boesenbergia rotunda is a medicinal and culinary herb from China and Southeast Asia. It is widely used in Javanese cuisine in Indonesia. In Thai cooking it is called krachai. In the west it is usually found pickled or frozen. Kra Chai is used as an antiflatulent, expels air and nurtures strength. Used as a male tonic, vigor, health promotion, longevity, aphrodisiac.

A dwarf ginger that is hard to find, but well worth it. Intermittently throughout the year, bright golden-orange cones will appear above the glossy dark green, maroon-backed leaves. Individual flowers will open and last for a period of about two weeks during each bloom cycle. Has a very upright growth habit. An excellent indoor plant, it should be kept out of direct sunlight as this will scorch the leaves, and should be kept in a container even outdoors, as they are very cold-tender and must be brought inside in the fall. When repotting, take care that only the roots are burried in the soil or potting medium, as it is a bit of an epiphyte (air plant) and the rhyzome must remain above ground level.

Variegated Spiral Ginger. Originally from South America, this ginger is very popular in Hawaii and Florida. The actual name is C. arabicus variegata and it is labeled Costus amazonicus variegata almost everywhere. Spiraling stems rise with a strong white variegation and topped with elegant pure white flowers with yellow centers. Takes both sun and shade, moist soil and lots of water.
This is a spectacular addition to your shade garden!

Costus igneus, Chamaecostus cuspidatus - Insulin Plant, Fiery Costus, Spiral Flag.
It is known as the insulin plant because it may help lower glucose levels for some people with diabetes. Researchers believe it can help lower blood sugar level. The plant has large, fleshy, smooth turmeric-like spiral leaves that are dark green on top with light purple undersides. The undersides of these large, smooth, dark green leaves have light purple shade. The leaves are spirally arranged around the stem, forming attractive, arching clumps arising from underground rootstocks. The maximum height of these plants is about two feet. The flowers are orange in color, appear to be cone-like heads at the tips of branches. Flowering occurs during the warm months.
10 benefits of insulin plant:
- Helps to reduce high blood glucose level
- Improves digestion
- Reduces cholesterol level
- Increases energy level
- Promotes weight loss
- Good for skin health
- Prevents heart diseases
- Relieves stress.

Red Button Ginger, French Kiss. Spectacular red ginger, with bright red button-like flower cones almost year-round. The yellow flowers that emerge from the red cones are edible. The plant can withstand a light frost for short periods of time but will stop blooming.

The name refers to the colorful raspberry colored stem, but that's not the only colorful thing about this Spiraling Ginger. The leaves are dark green, long and glossy with velvety deep purple undersides. The inflorescence is a vivid red with tight bracts and bold yellow flowers. The butterflies love to drink the nectar from the flowers. This is a large vigorous ginger, growing up to 5-6 ft tall.

Spice Turmeric, Longevity Spice, Indian Saffron, Tumeric. Turmeric powder might well be the healthiest spice on Earth. Made by grinding the dried root of the Curcuma longa plant, this ancient superfood and key ingredient in curry powder has been used by Indian Ayurvedic healers for centuries. In recent years, also the scientific community has begun to show interest in the potential health benefits of the turmeric root. Turmeric can be consumed in its original powdered form through culinary additions to other foods.
This plant is deciduous through winter-spring.