Zingiber rubens 'Ruby'

Zingiber rubens 'Ruby'

	Supposed to be one of the hardiest of the true gingers. From the mountains of Nepal and Sikkim. I kept it for a couple of years but the problem I found was that it didn't start to grow until temperatures became quite high in late May or June. As a result it didn't really mature in a single season and certainly never approached flowering. Viriar says of Zingiber rubens: "A small ginger, widespread but not common in the undergrowth of forests from the eastern Himalayas to southern China and northern Indochina. It produces many short, leafy stalks from an underground rhizome. The stout, red inflorescences sit at ground level and produce very pretty, orchid-like flowers. It is easily grown in cultivation, well adapted to most warm temperate climates and one of the few Zingiber that will tolerate cool winters while still a profusely flowering plant. Zingiber rubens performs best in loose, well-drained, organically rich soil in warm, humid conditions. Plant rhizomes 5–8 cm deep in a sheltered position with filtered light. Consistent moisture and warmth (22–32°C) during the growing season produce the most vigorous growth. Adequate humidity promotes lush foliage and vigorous growth in Zingiber rubens. Zingiber rubens is a warm-climate ginger with limited cold tolerance (USDA zones 7-10, minimum approximately -15°C (5°F)). In temperate climates, grow in containers brought indoors before the first frost. Alternatively, lift rhizomes after foliage yellows, dry briefly, and store in a cool, dry, frost-free location over winter."
27th July 2006


14th September 2007

References:

Viriar, https://www.viriar.com/de/blogs/ginger-encyclopedia/zingiber-rubens?srsltid=AU7gw4V_DycjfqcyldGDUjQo14HPnOiXFaXdNx4Lnl1JTk2hqd50m4vw , accessed 03.10.2026.