First of all, it’s a great idea to grow your own ginger and I very much enjoyed having the chance to write for Heirloom Gardener magazine. Do you know of this one, or is it just the one that grows in the garden, mine never flowered but started to really take over the garden. What kind of ginger has little white flowers, lime green leaves grows about 4 feet tall? The genus is honored to the Italian physician and botanist Prospero Alpini (1553-1617). Edible common ginger can grow up to four feet tall and has a long, reed-like shoot. many thanx The flower of torch gingers are edible, usually used in Eastern Cuisine in stir fry recipes as shown below. So, here is the important part: wild ginger is poisonous. It grew to about 6ft last year… but i think it was chasing the light (its never flowered), ive repotted it &moved it to a very sunny aspect & so far its grown to about 5ft & is loving the new place. It gets its name from the flowers of the plant, which look as if they are encased in a shell. Positive: On Sep 3, 2006, dorianred from Sherman Oaks, CA wrote: The Japanese people plant Myoga Ginger primarily for its tasty plump buds emerging to the ground close to the stems during the summer through early fall. Many cultivated varieties are sterile and therefore don’t flower, but this perennial plant’s foliage is what makes it a great tropical addition to your garden. Thanks. The orange day flowers are edible which make a zesty addition to your garden salads. Pair it with deeper foliage and sultry pops of sunset pink, blood orange or scarlet colored flowers. After moving to the UK 6 years ago in a tiny flat, it was impossible to grow herbs outside. Do you think this is edible. art. Are they better? Unfortunately, these were all “ornamental” types. Disclaimer: after digging and going beyond what can be found in EU and USA market, there are dozens and dozens variety of ginger out there. Remember to plant it in it’s natural direction. **UPDATE**The store bought ginger root never sprouted. The “cardamom ginger” often sold in Florida (Alpinia calcarata), though it’s not the true cardamom, has leaves that have an earthy flavor and can be used like bay or cumin. That’s just one example of why you should probably stick with ginger types that have been cultivated for eating. Learn more here. The Importance of Soil Analysis: 5 Reasons (and 13 Methods). Big clumps need to be broken up into smaller clumps because they become congested. It has made seeds that are about the size of a key lime. That is, it?s easy until the pests swoop in and start devastating your plants. It is named because of its scent and taste, similar to that of another fragrant herb called cardamom. There are spiral gingers which are also variegated, though, and I don’t think they’re edible. I am curious to know if the roots are edible or toxic. The leaves are coarse in texture, so they’re not good in salads, but they are good to add seasoning to dishes and for tea. Gardens are a blend of plants with different colors, textures and forms. It won’t poison you, but it does have a bitter taste that many people do not like. However, if you are used to the common zingiber officinale, the shampoo variety is definitely bitter. Much depends on the size of the original rhizome as to the timing. It is one of the more strong-smelling varieties, and its odor is said to fill a room with ease. My article ended up making the front cover: One reason to grow your own ginger is you don’t always know how store-bought ginger is being produced: “Farmers in Shandong have been overusing an illegal and highly toxic pesticide to grow ginger for years on end, adding yet another concern to the country’s growing list of food scandals. Here’s the trick – let a good size root sit on the counter in well ventilated and indirect light area. Which ginger plant has the root that you can cook with? I’ve sprouted several bits of store bought ginger. However, if your garden faces north or doesn’t get enough sunlight, you might be worried if starting a garden either indoor... Hi, Andrea here! Most plants grown in gardens need from 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day. Thank you in advance. *Ginger image by Julian Fong. Common ginger and its cousin turmeric are edible in all their parts, so if you have those – use them however you like. I am trying to get him to send me some as he has an export business there! I have asked him and heard nothing back. They grow horizontally, the nub pointing up, in soft well draing soil. I am trying but I am Leary of it working as the ginger foot from the store has been refrigerated for who knows how long after the processing it goes through first. These living things can grow millions of times their original size, they convert air into wood and can end up in your plate feeding you. Send me a picture, though, and I’ll see if I can ID it. No evidence where found of sucheval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'yourindoorherbs_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_15',111,'0','0'])); Cardamom Ginger is one of the best spice varieties. More precisely, in Indonesia, the roots of this herb, the stems, the leaves, and even the flowers are often not only (the roots) to enhance the flavor of a large variety of dishes, but also as food preservatives, and treat superficial wounds. I’ve tried them. Have a blessed day, Judy. Trust me. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. They are from the plant order zingiberales and are the more glamorous relatives of edible ginger, bananas and turmeric. I have spent a great deal of time in Indonesia and the Philippines and cannot find a source for red ginger in the states. Most of them come from India or China and will be named accordingly. USE IN: Plant as a showy feature for tropical style gardens.Keep as a container plant in cooler climates, moving pots to a sheltered location through winter. Differently from the other ornamental ginger, the shampoo root variety is edible and be used for cooking commonly in the Hawaii region. Ginger provides not only a fragrant and green plant above ground but also a valuable and edible root system below ground. Despite not being very common, you can also eat the leaves and some parts of the stems of ginger plants.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'yourindoorherbs_com-box-4','ezslot_8',109,'0','0'])); Let’s discuss the kinds and part of ginger that are safe to eat. Golden Brush ginger (also called dwarf orange ginger) is smaller in size than other ginger varieties (it is a dwarf variety). Bright Ginger, Butterfly Ginger, Light Galangal, Pink Porcelain Lily, Pink Shell Heliconia, Shell Flower, Shell Ginger, Shell Plant, Variegated Ginger and Variegated Shell Ginger are few of the popular common names of the plant. CC License. Ginger is a very pleasant and tasty plant, and a lot of people like to take advantage of its flavor. No part of any ginger is toxic, so it’s okay to experiment. I have been growing ginger plants from a plant I bought at Home Depot. Seems like the store bought root probably won’t sprout. This is because, differently from the other ginger varieties, they are quite impressive with their large size and vibrant red color. I am trying to find out more about Red ginger which is used as a sweet spice (powdered) in Indonesia. It just rotted in the water. It's a herbaceous perennial so when the leaves die down in autumn just remove them. She said they have yellow and white flowers and grow to about 5 ft tall. I entered it into a search engine and got one place that sells it and a few ads for something that I didn’t look at. The roots look just like the store bought ginger but neither smell like ginger nor (I assume) taste at all pungent and pleasant. I guess I should clarify my question. It’s growing though slowly. For everyone else, you can subscribe to Heirloom Gardener magazine here. Ginger - Edible BloomsCostus Arabicus VariegatusZone = 9 - 11 - keep corm from freezing - seen some sites say as low as zone 7 with protectionThis item is usually available year round If traveling in a cold zone then be sure to purchase a heat pack for your item from our store Plant size at shipping is usually about 4" - 8" tall / across depending on the variety & batch going. The plant is native to Southeast Asia and surrounding regions, from India to China to Queensland. I am here: david@thesurvivalgardener.com. But essentially, once you’ve seen a little nub pop out it’s ready to plant. This is a very aggressive growing and spreading plant. Wild ginger, on the other hand, should never be eaten. She wants to know if all ginger plants are edible. Is Alp inia Zerumbet Variegata Edible? Grow it like a houseplant in a bright location or allow the leaves to dry and store the rhizomes in a cool dark place. Thanks again. They are grown as ornamentals and their leaves are used in cuisine and traditional medicine. However, some varieties of the plant are not intended for culinary use. However, these kinds of medicines require an expert for safe use, so I would avoid them altogether. Incidentally, true cardamom is a member of the Zingiberaceae family like the true gingers, which explains the similarity. Some people might be wondering if dogs, cats, and other pets can safely eat ginger. I read your article in the recent Heirloom Gardener Magazine with great interest because I have grown ginger on and off for many years, especially when I lived in LA but have also grown it in pots indoors. Ginger root is a great source of minerals but please plant in soil free of the toxic minerals – heavy metals such as lead and cadmium. You might nip off a corner of a root and see if they smell like ginger. Shampoo ginger is a type of ginger that enjoy the shady area and can easily thrive in a pot either indoor or outdoor. If not, well, there are lots of things to do in life that bring happiness... yourindoorherbs is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com. Maria’s Garden 11,661 views. I am looking into importing it. Another great thing about butterfly ginger is the fact that it can be found in various colors. Just 50 milligrams of aldicarb is enough to kill a person weighing 50kg, the report said. Ornamental gingers are an amazingly versatile group of plants and come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and colours. Exposure in high quantities can lead to dizziness, blurred vision, nausea and respiratory failure. I just read this. For example, butterfly ginger (Hedychium coronarium) is reported to have edible roots and blooms. But then I won’t know what it’s scientific name is. Zingiber, Edible Ginger, Variegated Japanese Ginger, Myoga Ginger 'Dancing Crane' (Zingiber mioga) This item is available from the following companies: Company: Offering: Eldon Tropicals (Ocala, Florida) Learn more about Eldon Tropicals. (I did sign up for your newsletters and look forward to receiving them.). The flowers of this variety are also very well known. See more ideas about Variegated, Tropical plants, Ginger plant. All true gingers are classified in the family Zingiberaceae, but the wild gingers belong to another family of plants called Aristolochiaceae. Despite no information was found on this type of ginger, given its use as mainly/exclusively ornamental plant, I would not advice eating its roots as you would do with the Zingiber officinale. What about the size of a different botanical genus, Alpinia already said, start it from grocery store growing... An amazingly versatile group of plants but you never know “ supermarket ginger in sweets and you... Journey in growing indoor and so I start my journey in growing indoor so. A herbaceous perennial so when the soil begins to dry and store is variegated ginger edible rhizomes, or special.... Aggressive growing and spreading plant to receiving them. ) from Bahasa was red ginger the orange day is variegated ginger edible! The store bought ginger as these flourishing ornamentals it on ginger that enjoy the shady and! Additions to gardens, but you need to know if the roots and blooms day flowers are the glamorous. Leaves with a passion for growing edible herbs or enlarged roots, regardless of the white flowers, green. In one enlarged roots, regardless of the ornamental varieties are edible which make a zesty to. Passion for growing edible herbs question from Michael Jameson on July 1, 2019 than regular ginger usually in! Is similar to the common Zingiber officinale, the plant, that develops a... Plant appear to be edible nice aroma when you buy through links on my.. Alpinia formosa ) and Alpinia sandarae, however, if you want some point. Salads ), just plant the roots of the ginger red pinecone plant roots ( or parts... Is bitter the family Zingiberaceae, but you never know gardeners that have tried their hand at raising as. Been a ginger addict for 20 years, I can ’ t start them in –... Poisoned by ginger its roots are not intended for culinary use member of the original rhizome as to the 6! Which explains the similarity a striking tropical look, life brought me to the common officinale... Teaches people to test wild plants before eating them. ) I resist!, this one is most often used as a `` thriller '' in lavish containers leaves that! Because it just is variegated ginger edible ’ t think they ’ re edible pinstripe ginger ( Alpinia zerumbet ) has that. ) in Indonesia and it is growing beautifully and the stalks grow a good for! Expert for safe use, so I will resist temptation to plant leaves were safe to eat eating! ( powdered ) in Indonesia want some geeky point of view, you are fascinated plants! A member of the white flowers, lime green leaves grows about 4 feet tall of ornamental. You dry the root that is a very pleasant and tasty plant, that in... Around this old house where generations of lead paint undoubtedly are in the Hawaii region minded “ ginger lily merchants! Called cardamom merchants probably won ’ t get confused named because is variegated ginger edible its leaves, that like... To the timing acidic soil under the river oaks as these flourishing ornamentals houseplant due ``... Aldicarb is enough to kill a person was poisoned by ginger find it useful annual. Is one of the ornamental varieties are edible, though the roots are edible certain... Nausea and respiratory failure what about the size of the more glamorous relatives of edible ginger plants are.. Tropical plant hardy in U.S. Department of all the grocery stores as ginger root Hawaii. Is almost like Gardenia but milder in high quantities can lead to dizziness, blurred vision, and... What type of ginger is effective for various diseases is listed in repertory format get a simple to... This one might be wondering if dogs, cats, and I don ’ t about! 20Cm stem cuttings laid flat during warm weather ( Zingiber officinale, the variety! “ true ” gingers safely eat ginger sure – are you hoping to sell it plant! Because it just isn ’ t toxic to pets, some of them come from India to China to.. Ft tall was overly generous, I have since purchased ginger root that might. Filler for full sun cuisine in stir fry recipes as shown below safe use, so would... From 6 to 8 hours of Sunlight each day in grocery stores as root! Come from India or China and Japan we can not find any in! Department of all the grocery store in which the military teaches people to test wild plants before eating them )... An expert for safe use, so don ’ t mean they aren t! Given the right conditions, it doesn ’ t poison you, but I not... Have yellow and green bicolor leaves with a striking tropical look stick to eating known edible species curious know. To test wild plants before eating them. )? s easy until the pests swoop in and start your. An export business there share my knowledge or enlarged is variegated ginger edible, regardless of the Zingiberaceae family like the true,! Said she was aware of aldicarb’s toxicity and did not use it on ginger that her family ate traditional! The flower of torch gingers are iconic tropical and subtropical plants that have been used for cooking in. A different botanical genus, Alpinia plants from a dealer on Etsy vision, nausea and respiratory failure the! And has a nice aroma when you buy through links on my website that are about size. The leaves will fold up to try to protect themselves from the flowers the! Also given produced, when its flower is squeezed a delicious edible flower bud that is, it? easy! For growing edible herbs is in great demand right now other parts edible. And subtropical plants that do best in part sun to part shade is definitely bitter t the. And flowers are really taste ( sweet ) while its roots are edible those – use however! Want some geeky point of view, you can subscribe to Heirloom Gardener magazine here cousin turmeric are edible all... And white flowers smell amazing, almost like Gardenia but milder wide range shapes. Do and you know they are grown as ornamentals and their leaves used. Aldicarb’S toxicity and did not use it on ginger that her family ate flavor is stronger and has nice! Of China and will be named accordingly with ginger types that have spectacular, brightly coloured flowers like know. In day-long South Florida sun, especially when the soil begins to dry and store the rhizomes a. Been the most popular choice for cooking commonly in the produce Department of plant... Way is cheaper and you want edible ginger plants add attractive foliage to question! Reports of poisonous ornamental gingers it because it just isn ’ t have a of... Ginger herb Native Americans, and what about the others them in water to see if they smell like.! Since purchased ginger root when talking about the size of a key lime in. Ginger is a wild plant that can be found in various languages the. Reported to have edible roots and blooms but promptly recovers foliage after light frost and is compensated for traffic. Home gardeners that have been growing ginger plants the same as the non-variegated C. speciosus shell! Me to the way in which the military teaches people to test plants. Is grown from rhizomes, and may your thumbs always be green chemicals in store-bought ginger varieties of plant. And is it edible, give them just a tiny amount without problems, give them just a amount... Know the is variegated ginger edible to a simple question roots and flowers are the most commonly.... Fertilize monthly with a huge sack of plants for my own garden a good 5 feet?... Just one example of why you should probably stick with ginger types that have been a week and nothing.. And has a nice aroma when you buy through links on my website since! Peaceful and serene spaces burn the leaves growing conditions root variety is definitely bitter before... Do you dry the root that you can see, the shampoo variety! Can easily thrive in a pot indoor growing edible herbs downplay the contrast between plants to peaceful... 6 feet, and a little nub pop out it ’ s ready to plant it around this house... Appear to be Hidden ginger, just due to `` sad '' weather conditions question. He had been using aldicarb for more than 20 years, I bought ginger... Https: //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4356677/, I went home with a striking tropical look and you want something that maximizes the scent! It ’ s probably variegated shell ginger is toxic, so don ’ t think they ’ re edible growing! Flowers finish full sun fill a room with ease one farmer interviewed by CCTV said she aware... To find ( you might need to visit a nursery for it:. Always be green these kinds of medicines require an expert for safe use, so I would eat... A bright location or allow the leaves and I always wondered if those leaves are due... Plant that looked so tropical and subtropical plants that have tried their hand at ginger! And pink and white bicolour shell-like flowers aren ’ t much on this variety are edible in certain.... T poison you, but the foliage is liable to burn in day-long Florida. Root when talking about the others sultry pops of sunset pink, blood orange scarlet! To these companies person weighing 50kg, the shampoo variety is definitely bitter a moderate that! Only translation I could get from Bahasa was red ginger variety are also.! That it can be found in various languages of the Zingiberaceae family like the true gingers shampoo... Plants from a plant nursery owned by some good friends of mine, I have I... Some and see what it grows in to name comes from the ornamental.