curcuma elata flower ginger plant rhizome Tropical, Exotic, and Indoor Plants

Ginger plant, Giant Plume, Curcuma Elata, Hidden lily

Curcuma Elata sends up an magnificent inflorescence in the spring, being one of the first gingers to bloom. This happens before the leaves start to grow.

It will rise to 12" or more in the most beautiful shades of pink with little yellow flowers growing around the edges.

The leaves will rise 3-8' tall and are a beautiful shade of green with a burgundy/ red stripe down the center of the leaf.


The flower stalks and colorful bracts provide an exotic, long-lasting source for cut flowers in bouquets . Leaves with pronounced red-colored midveins become decorative filler in these arrangements as well.

One of natures most beautiful, unique and cold hardy flowering gingers. Curcuma can be grown in ground as far north as the Carolinas, when properly mulched.
In tropical climes, curcuma provide seasonal interest in foliage and flowers in a mixed shrub border. They grow well as houseplants, even though they naturally die back and go into dormancy every winter.

Pink cones above little yellow and white flowers bloom in early spring. Here in Louisiana they are one of the first flowers to come up with their striking pink/purple inflorescence followed by green leaves with burgundy red midrib stripe.

The bold tropical foliage of these gingers, combined with exquisite flowers, make curcuma a welcome addition to the perennial garden. they can be planted alongside spring bulbs for a continuing sequence of summer flowers. Curcumas prefer part sun to light shade and well drained, evenly moist soils.

In hot climates like Florida and Louisiana,Curcumas do best in part sun (morning preferebly). All do go dormant in the winter.

The plants get 3-5 feet tall here and can get up to 7 ft. tall.

Do not over water your Curcumas. they will rot. Don't water at all in the winter after it has gone dormant.

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curcumas sometimes dont bloom the first year until established. They do best if originating in a similar climate to the one moved to. Do not buy from large chain stores as many of their plants come from thailand and are not acclimatized and wont bloom here.

Why I sell rhizomes (underground tubers from which plants are propagated)
instead of plants with green growth and leaves.
Ginger grown from rhizomes establishes plants quicker than if small plants are transplanted. The energy in a nice fresh rhizome will make a bigger plant faster than if you buy a little plant in a 4" pot because the rhizome already IS a big plant (it just hasnt yet put out top growth).
Rhizomes divisions dont suffer transplant stress like plants with leaves do.