Costus speciosus (Crepe Ginger)

Costus speciosus (Crepe Ginger) white flower, close up with yellow center on dark red stem.
Costus speciosus (Crepe Ginger) white flower with ruffled petals and a distinct yellow center spot.

Botanical names: Costus speciosus, Hellenia speciosa, Cheilocostus speciosus

Common names: Crepe Ginger, Spiral Ginger, Wild Ginger

Family: Costaceae

Origin: Southeast Asia

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 9-11

Large shrub 5-10 ft tallPlant form: Large bush
Plant mature sizeMature height: 5-10 ft
Full sunSemi-shadeSun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor; semi-shade
Cold toleranceCold tolerance: Frost sensitive. Protect from freezing.
Watering: Regular. Let topsoil dry slightlyWatering: Regular
White, off-white flowersFlower color: White and off-white
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Ornamental foliageFoliage color: Ornamental foliage
Fragrant plantFragrance: Fragrant; perfume plant
Plant attracts butterflies, hummingbirdsWildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
Ethnomedical plant. Plants marked as ethnomedical and/or described as medicinal, are not offered as medicine but rather as ornamentals or plant collectibles. Ethnomedical statements / products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We urge all customers to consult a physician before using any supplements, herbals or medicines advertised here or elsewhere.Ethnomedical: Ethnomedical plant, traditionally used in folk or indigenous medicine

Hellenia speciosa, commonly known as crepe ginger or spiral ginger, is a tropical perennial in the Costaceae family, native to Southeast Asia. It was long known as Costus speciosus, a name still widely encountered in horticulture. The plant develops tall, cane-like, spirally arranged leafy stems arising from underground rhizomes and may reach 6-10 ft in favorable conditions. Large dark green leaves create a lush tropical appearance. Dense terminal cone-like inflorescences consist of overlapping deep red bracts from which large, crinkled white flowers emerge, giving rise to the common name crepe ginger. The striking red cones may remain decorative after individual flowers fade.

Hellenia speciosa grows best in warm, humid conditions in full sun to partial shade and fertile, organic-rich soil. It appreciates regular moisture during active growth but requires reasonable drainage. Rhizomes spread readily and can form substantial clumps, making the plant effective for tropical borders, screens, and waterside plantings where soil remains moist. Propagation is mainly by division of the rhizomes. In cooler climates the stems may die back during winter and regrow from protected rhizomes. It is generally suitable outdoors in USDA Zones 9-11.

Similar plants: Costus speciosus (Crepe Ginger)

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Image gallery: 11 images
Costus speciosus white flower close up on deep red textured bracts
Costus speciosus white flower sitting atop deep red textured spiral bracts
Costus speciosus (Crepe Ginger) with yellow leaves on a stem, a close up plant
Costus speciosus (Crepe Ginger) with yellow foliage and subtle green markings on the wet leaves.
Costus speciosus (Crepe Ginger) with a ruffled white flower and dark red cone bracts close up.
Costus speciosus (Crepe Ginger) with a delicate white flower emerging from a dark red cone bract.
Costus speciosus white flower close up with green leaves in the background
Costus speciosus white flower with crinkled edges among broad dark green foliage.
Costus speciosus (Crepe Ginger) white flower with yellow center, close up plant image.
Costus speciosus (Crepe Ginger) white flower with yellow throat nestled among large green foliage leaves.
Costus speciosus (Crepe Ginger) with red flower, close up of cone shaped structure and leaves.
Costus speciosus (Crepe Ginger) showing a deep red flower spike nestled among broad green leaves.
Costus speciosus (Crepe Ginger) white flower with yellow center, close up petal detail.
Costus speciosus (Crepe Ginger) white flower with yellow center amidst green foliage.
Costus speciosus (Crepe Ginger) white flower and red bracts among large green leaves close up
Costus speciosus (Crepe Ginger) white flower beside a red cone-shaped bract with thick green leaves.
Costus speciosus (Crepe Ginger) with red bracts and white flowers on a leafy plant.
Costus speciosus (Crepe Ginger) showing multiple tall stems topped with red bracts and white flowers.
Hellenia speciosa (Crepe Ginger) white flower close up with yellow center and delicate wavy petals.
Hellenia speciosa (Crepe Ginger) white flower with a yellow center and thin, ruffled petal edges.
Hellenia speciosa (Crepe Ginger) with large green leaves on a thin reddish brown stem
Hellenia speciosa (Crepe Ginger) with its long, pointed green leaves on a flexible reddish stem


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/hellenia_speciosa.htm
Costus speciosus (Crepe Ginger) white flower, close up with yellow center on dark red stem.

7169 Hellenia speciosa (Costus speciosus) - Crepe Ginger

Hellenia speciosa, better known to many gardeners by its former name Costus speciosus, is a striking tropical ginger relative native from tropical Asia to New Guinea and northeastern Australia. It grows from strong underground rhizomes, forming lush clumps of tall, leafy stems, usually 6-10 ft. The large leaves spiral around the stems, creating a beautiful architectural look even when the plant is not blooming.
The flowers are spectacular. Thick terminal cones of deep crimson-red bracts produce large, crinkled white flowers that look almost like crepe paper, giving the plant its common name, Crepe Ginger. Individual flowers are short-lived, but new ones continue to emerge while the colorful red cones remain decorative much longer.
Crepe Ginger spreads by underground rhizomes and can eventually form a substantial colony. It is excellent for tropical screens, moist garden areas, pond edges or naturalizing beneath high tree canopies. Give it some room to spread.
Grow in full sun to partial shade in rich, reasonably well-drained soil with regular moisture. In tropical climates it may remain evergreen. In cooler areas frost can kill the stems, but established rhizomes may survive and produce new growth in spring. Generally recommended for Zones 9-11.
The plant also has a long history of traditional use and appears extensively in ethnobotanical and medicinal literature under its older names Costus speciosus and Cheilocostus speciosus.
Despite all the botanical name changes, this is the same beautiful Crepe Ginger gardeners have grown for generations. If you know it as Costus speciosus, you have the right plant. Its currently accepted name is Hellenia speciosa.
See Planting Guide & Care Tips


Recommended Fertilizer: SUNSHINE Robusta - Rapid Growth Booster
Grown in
6"/1 gal pot
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