Hedychium gardnerianum

ginger lily, kahili ginger
Ginger lily delivers a late-summer show of beautiful, fragrant golden flowers atop leaning stems of luxuriant foliage.
height 3–6ft
width 3–8ft
tolerates Coast, Cool Summers, Fog, Moist Soil
water
needs		 Moderate
water
info		 This ginger should be watered deeply every week or two once it’s established. It doesn’t want to ever dry out completely. Plants in pots will require more frequent watering.
hardy
to		 10F
exposure Part Sun – Full Sun
indoor
outdoor		 Outdoor
fertilizing All Purpose
origin Himalayas
california
native		 No
sunset
zones		 4–6, 8, 9, 14–17, 20–24

Sunset Zones Map

Outdoor Exposure Guide

Growing Notes

Prune annually last year’s foliage or crop the entire clump to the ground in winter for a fresh look spring through fall.
Easiest ginger to grow and bloom along the chilly, fogbound coast, where it thrives in full sun.

Special Interest

Produces the showiest flower clusters of gingers commonly seen in California, and while its season of bloom can be brief, its foliage is among the most attractive among its congeners.

Its combination of outward leaning stems, upright flowerstalks, and clean, lush foliage is elegant and charming.

More Info

A pernicious invasive species in Hawai`i and New Zealand, this plant requires summer moisture to survive and thus poses very little threat to California wildlands.