Variegated Shell Ginger

Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata'

$94⁹⁹

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Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Highlights

Variegated Shell Ginger highlights at a glance!

Specifications

Brand

Nature Hills' Choice
Botanical Name

Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata'
Growing Zones

8-11
Mature Height

5 - 7 feet
Mature Spread

3 - 4 feet
Sun Exposure

Full Sun
Moisture

High (Not Soggy)
Soil

Well-Drained
Growth Rate

Fast
Flower Color

Variegated
Pollinator Friendly

Yes
Pollinator Required

No
Pruning Time

After Flowering
Bloom Period

Early Spring

Growing Zones 8-11

Find Your Growing Zone!

On the hunt for plants that tell the story of lush, tropical adventure? Try using tropical Variegated Shell Ginger (Alpinia zerumbet 'Variegata') as a starring role in your landscape design or seasonal container gardens. Featuring long, slender, vividly striped leaves in varying greens, white and cream, and even sometimes a touch of yellow! Variegated Shell Ginger is a classic hot sunny accent annual plant for pots and planters all across the country!

It's best known for producing two-foot-long, lance-shaped leaves that are streaked here and there with alternating bands of green and gold! Super lush, two-toned leaves work to instantly brighten your landscape. Pair it with dark or coarse foliage and sultry pops of sunset pink, blood orange or scarlet colored flowers in your landscape. They prefer the sunnier locations with good moisture but soil that drains well.

In zones 8 and up it is used as a herbaceous perennial where it is planted in the landscape, there it can overwinter and delicate fragrant white flower clusters grow along shell pink racemes. Seemingly delicate flowers offer blaze yellow and red on the inside for a spark of additional interest. In cooler climates, these are lovely houseplants or tropical annual accents, many times used as summer annuals mixed with tropicals and summer containers.

Planting and Application:

Use Variegated Shell Ginger as a tropical annual addition to your summer patio plant mixing with Banana trees or Elephant Ears, or even a Castor Bean plant with its contrasting dark purple foliage. Variegated Shell Ginger is a classic hot sunny accent plant for pots and planters all across the country. Where it's hardy, this can be used as a luscious and easy care screening hedge for privacy. It is a classic, hot sunny accent plant for pots and planters all across the country.

Plant poolside for an exotic retreat and colorful accent. Mix among other tropical gems like Palms, Hibiscus, Banana trees or Elephant Ears, or even a Castor Bean plant with its contrasting dark purple foliage. You'll enjoy a gorgeous accent, hedge or low screen that is highlighted by the multi-color foliage and bright white and pink flowers! Plant near moist areas and water features or ponds, as long as they're not soggy or in standing water, and in large pots and planters anywhere you need a burst of color and height.

Fabulous Multi-Color Foliage
Long White & Shell-Pink Blooms
Hardy USDA Zones 8-11
Thriller or Specimen, Containers & Garden Beds
Exotic, Effective Showy Screen & Specimen

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Plant your Variegated Ginger in full sun or a bright spot with some protection from the hot afternoon sun in the warmer climates for the best yellow variegation. Moist, well-drained soil is best, and a good deep watering weekly when grown outside in the ground in warmer climates.

In fall before they freeze (like Cana Lilies) they should be dug and the foliage cut off and cured a bit before storing them in a 55°F basement cool and dark for the winter. Then when in the spring they can be planted back out or started in a pot and moved outside after the danger of frost has passed. It is a herbaceous perennial in zone 8 and up and gets cut down to the ground and allowed to grow from the tuber-like roots in late winter in those areas. In zones 8 and up it is used as a herbaceous perennial where it is planted in the landscape.

Full Sun & Partial Shade
Tolerates Heat
Prefers Moist Locations
Broadleaf Evergreen Tropical Plant
Needs Well-Drained Locations

Order the exotic Variegated Shell Ginger today from Nature Hills to enjoy tropical elegance and color year-round! Place your order now to reserve the best selection.