Ginger Lily Care: Zones, Sun, Rhizomes and Winter

Ginger lily (Hedychium coronarium), also called butterfly ginger or white garland-lily, is a clumping rhizomatous perennial that grows outdoors in USDA zones 8 to 10 or warmer and needs winter protection colder than that. UF/IFAS lists the plant as hardy in zones 8B to 11 and Clemson gives 8 to 10. Plant it in full sun or partial shade in warm, moist, well-drained soil rich in humus (NC State, UF/IFAS). White flowers open from late spring through summer, though each lasts only about a day.

USDA zones: 8–10 (Clemson); 8B–11 (UF/IFAS)
Origin: Asia
Sun: Full sun or partial shade
Height: 3–6 ft stems; clumps 2–3 ft wide
Soil: Warm, moist, well-drained, humus-rich
Bloom time: Late spring through summer
Propagate: Divide the rhizomes

What it is

NC State describes the plant as a rhizomatous perennial that forms clumps of stems. Stems grow 3 to 6 feet tall, about 5 feet being typical (UF/IFAS), and clumps are 2 to 3 feet wide (NC State). This guide covers Hedychium coronarium. Clemson also names the orange ginger lily (Hedychium aurantiacum), which has fragrant orange-red flowers and can grow 5 to 7 feet tall, and says over 100 cultivars have been released.

Sun, soil and water

Light

UF/IFAS says full sun or partial shade, and that plants in the shade often grow but produce few flower buds.

Soil

NC State says warm, moist, well-drained soil rich in humus.

Water

NC State says it does not tolerate standing or continuously wet soil.

Pests

UF/IFAS says no pests or disease normally restrict its use in Florida landscapes. NC State mentions scale and spider mites, especially indoors.

Winter

Zone 8 is the line. NC State says that in zones colder than 8, butterfly ginger needs a thick, protective layer of mulch in the winter. Clemson’s cold hardy range is zones 8 to 10, and UF/IFAS extends it to 8B to 11.

NC State gives a second option for colder areas: the rhizomes can be dug and stored in a cool basement or garage over winter and replanted in spring. For plants in containers, it says to overwinter them indoors in a cool, dry, frost-free place.

Propagation

UF/IFAS says the plant can be divided at any time, and NC State lists division and seed. Lifting a clump and splitting the rhizomes is the practical way to get more plants.

Bloom time

UF/IFAS says the white flowers are produced from one large bud in late spring through summer, and that each flower lasts about a day.

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Canna is another rhizome plant that blooms in summer, and heliconia is a tropical with long-lasting bracts for frost-free gardens. The tropical flowers collection lines them up by cold tolerance.

Frequently asked questions

What zones does ginger lily grow in?

Clemson says Hedychium is cold hardy in USDA zones 8 to 10. UF/IFAS lists 8B to 11. NC State says that in zones colder than 8, butterfly ginger needs a thick, protective layer of mulch in winter.

How much sun does ginger lily need?

UF/IFAS says full sun or partial shade. Plants in the shade often grow but produce few flower buds.

How do I propagate ginger lily?

By dividing the rhizomes. UF/IFAS says it can be divided at any time, and NC State lists division and seed as the propagation strategies.

How long does each flower last?

UF/IFAS says each white flower lasts about a day, and that flowers open from one large bud from late spring through summer.

Can ginger lily grow in a pot in cold climates?

NC State says in cooler areas, container plants can be overwintered indoors in a cool, dry, frost-free place. Rhizomes can also be dug and stored in a cool basement or garage over winter and replanted in spring.

Sources

Hedychium coronarium, NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
Hedychium coronarium: White Ginger Lily (FP240), UF/IFAS Extension (EDIS)
Ginger Lily, Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home and Garden Information Center

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