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Zingiberaceae
Butterfly Ginger
Hedychium coronarium
Purity and grace.
- Family
- Zingiberaceae
- Genus
- Hedychium
- Native to
- Himalayas, India, Nepal
- Bloom season
- Summer, Fall
- Type
- herbaceous perennial
- Height
- 3-6 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun to part shade
- Soil
- Rich, moist, well-drained soil
- Water
- high
- Hardiness
- 7-11
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- Butterfly ginger is the national flower of Cuba, where it is called mariposa and symbolizes purity and rebellion.
- Cuban women historically hid secret messages in the fragrant flowers to pass to rebel soldiers during independence wars.
- The intensely sweet fragrance can perfume an entire garden and is used in high-end perfumery.
- Each white flower resembles a butterfly in flight, with wing-like petals that give the plant its common name.
- Despite being native to Asia, butterfly ginger has naturalized in tropical regions worldwide and is considered invasive in Hawaii.
Color meanings
0
purity
1
sweetness
2
tropical beauty