Roscoea humeana is a splendid small plant that makes a fantastic show in a pot and is a favourite with alpine gardeners. It is quite late to appear above the ground, often not showing until mid may and then immediately producing flowers. These are usually purple, with a broad dorsal petal. The species varies from purple (R.h. f.tyria) to yellow (R.h. f.lutea) with occasional white and red flowered plants appearing. As these enter cultivation, the number of named forms being distributed is increasing.
