Hedychium coronarium aka Butterfly Ginger

Taxonomy

Hedychium coronarium, also known as the white garland-lily or white ginger lily, is a beautiful perennial flowering plant in the ginger family Zingiberaceae. It is native to the forest understorey of Asia, particularly the Eastern Himalayas region, but is commonly cultivated in warm regions of the world as an ornamental. This plant can grow up to 5 feet high and has a 5-foot spread. Its foliage consists of large, lance-shaped leaves that are medium to bright green in color. The plant puts on a beautiful display of showy, fragrant white blooms that are borne on elliptical racemes and have an intricate shape similar to a butterfly. The flowers bloom from late summer to early spring and are often used to make perfumes. Butterfly Ginger likes soil that is well-draining and should be supplemented with a gentle, organic fertilizer throughout the peak growing season. This super rare houseplant is not challenging to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. It does best in long-lasting, direct light and should be less than 1 foot from a window. Other common names for Hedychium coronarium include butterfly lily, fragrant garland flower, Indian garland flower, white butterfly ginger lily, or white ginger.

Common names

Butterfly Ginger, White Garland Lily, Butterfly Lily, White Ginger Lily

How to care for Butterfly Ginger

Difficulty

With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Butterfly Ginger, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.

Water

Butterfly Ginger should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Butterfly Ginger loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Butterfly Ginger requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your White Ginger Lily will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Cat approves this plant

Toxicity

Butterfly Ginger is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.

Region of origin

Butterfly Ginger’s native range is E. Asia - India.


More info:
Wikipedia