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Zingiberaceae
Ginger Lily
Hedychium coronarium
Joy, hospitality, butterfly-like grace.
- Family
- Zingiberaceae
- Genus
- Hedychium
- Native to
- Himalayan India, Nepal, Bhutan
- Bloom season
- Late Summer, Fall
- Type
- rhizomatous tropical perennial
- Height
- 1.2–2.5 m
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil
- Rich, moist, well-drained
- Water
- Regular and generous
- Hardiness
- 7–11
- Lifespan
- Perennial
Did you know
- The white ginger lily (Hedychium coronarium) is the national flower of Cuba, where it's called mariposa for its butterfly-like blooms.
- Despite the common name, ginger lilies are not lilies — they're true gingers in the family Zingiberaceae.
- Ginger lilies have an intense tropical fragrance that's most powerful at night, attracting nocturnal hawk moths.
- The flowers are edible and used in salads and garnishes throughout Southeast Asia.
- Cuban women hid messages from independence fighters inside ginger lily flowers during the wars of independence in the 19th century.