Zingiberaceae

Tall, cane-like stems carry broad, glossy, aromatic leaves arranged in two opposite ranks, giving the whole plant a lush, architectural presence reminiscent of its relative the true ginger plant. Mature canes given sufficient light and warmth produce pendulous clusters of waxy, shell-shaped flowers in white and yellow with a pink blush, which give the plant its common name. Both the leaves and rhizome carry a pleasant ginger-like fragrance when crushed or bruised. Like the rest of the family, expect reduced growth or partial dieback through the cooler months as the plant enters natural dormancy, with active growth resuming once warmth and light return in spring.

Bold cream and green striped leaves running the length of each blade, making this cultivar grown primarily for its foliage rather than its flowers. It is somewhat less likely to flower indoors than the plain green species since more of its energy is directed into the variegated leaf pattern. Maintains the same aromatic quality and dormancy pattern as the standard species. A striking ornamental foliage plant for a bright spot, with the variegation strongest in good light.

Compact canes wrapped in a tight, distinctive spiral of glossy green leaves, topped with a bright red, button-like flower bract from which small yellow flowers emerge briefly. The spiral leaf arrangement is the genus's defining visual signature and becomes more pronounced and obvious as each cane matures, making this one of the most architecturally unusual houseplants available. More compact than woody tropical gingers, suiting it well to pots. As with Alpinia, expect a period of reduced growth through cooler months, with watering cut back accordingly until spring growth resumes.

Similar spiral leaf habit to woodsonii but with a more elongated, spiked flower head and yellow-orange blooms rather than the compact red button of woodsonii. Care requirements are essentially identical between the two species, including the same dormancy pattern and bright light preference. A good alternative for growers wanting variety within the spiral ginger form.

A larger-growing Costus species, less commonly available in cultivation than woodsonii or spicatus, originating from tropical Africa. Shares the same distinctive spiral leaf arrangement that defines the genus, on a generally more vigorous and larger-scale plant than the more compact woodsonii. Worth seeking out for growers wanting a bigger architectural specimen with the same spiral foliage interest.

Tall, reed-like canes topped with clusters of pure white, butterfly-shaped flowers carrying one of the most intensely perfumed scents in the entire encyclopaedia. A single bloom can fill a room. The scent is its primary appeal and the reason it is grown at all in many collections, since the broad, lance-shaped leaves, while attractive, are not dramatically different from other tall gingers. Best suited to a conservatory, sunroom, or large room that can be closed off, since the fragrance is genuinely overwhelming in a small or poorly ventilated space. Requires a cooler, notably drier winter dormancy than most houseplants in this encyclopaedia, with watering cut back substantially once canes begin to die back.

Tall flower spikes of yellow petals with strikingly long, vivid red stamens, on similarly tall cane-like growth to coronarium. The fragrance is similarly intense, though many growers find it slightly less heavy than coronarium's. A vigorous, fast-spreading species that can become quite large given good conditions. Outdoors in warm climates it is considered invasive in some regions, an indicator of how readily it naturalises given the chance. Indoors this vigour translates into a need for fairly frequent division to manage size. Care otherwise matches coronarium, including the same dry winter dormancy.