4 FRESH Shampoo Ginger Awapuhi Rhizome Bulbs Zingiber Zerumbet, Pine                                                                     Cone live

The Shampoo Ginger Lily plant (Zingiber zerumbet), also known as Awapuhi Kuahiwi, red pinecone ginger, and bitter ginger, is a plant that you may not be familiar with unless you’ve visited Hawaii.

It is native to India, but Polynesian settlers brought it to Hawaii, where its flower head produces ginger-scented fluid that is still used in shampoos and conditioners.

The roots have traditionally been used as medicine and dried to make a fragrant powder. The roots of the plant, called rhizomes, can be eaten and used like ginger, though they are more bitter hence the reason why it’s also known as bitter ginger! In Java, the leaves were used to add flavor to meat that was baked.

Fortunately, you can easily grow this plant both indoors and outdoors to enjoy its stunning, exotic looks that can add a flair to any landscape or utilize it for its innumerable uses. Read our guide for shampoo ginger lily to learn everything you need to know to maintain a healthy, thriving plant.

Botanical Name: Zingiber zerumbet

Common Name: Shampoo ginger lily, Awapuhi Kuahiwi, shampoo lily, red pinecone ginger, bitter ginger

Family: Zingiberaceae

Plant Type: Perennial herbaceous

Hardiness Zones: 8 – 12 (USDA)

Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Soil Type: Nutrient-rich, well-draining soil

Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (5.7 to 8.0)

Maturity: 10 months

Height: 4 to 6 feet fall

Spacing: 24 to 36 inches

Bloom Time: Summer to early fall

Shampoo Ginger Lilies

Photo Credit: Dreamstime.

Table of Contents

Quick Guide: Planting, Growing & Caring for Shampoo Ginger Lily

Tropical plant native to Asia that has been naturalized in Hawaii

Prefers full to partial shade with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day

Grow it in nutrient-rich soil that’s slightly acidic to neutral, and keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged

These tropical plants prefer warm and humid conditions, though they are hardier than other tropical plants.

Shampoo Ginger Lily (Zingiber zerumbet) growing in the wild 

Photo Credit: Dreamstime.

Shampoo Ginger Lily Plant Care

Shampoo ginger lily is native to India and other tropical parts of Asia, but Polynesian settlers brought it to Hawaii, where its flower head (inflorescence) produces ginger-scented fluid that is still used in shampoos and hair conditioners.

It serves as an exotic landscape accent because of its bright green foliage and vibrant red inflorescences that resemble cones. When used as cut flowers, they make a lovely floral arrangement, and they are also used as ornamental plants.

Shampoo ginger lily rhizomes are similar to those of ginger and turmeric because it also belongs to the Zingiberaceae ginger plant family. Although they have a bitter taste, they are edible and have historically been used to treat digestive problems like diarrhea and intestinal worms.

It produces bright red flowers that stand 2 to 4 inches tall during its growing season, which lasts from spring to late summer, and its red pine cones have a fresh, ginger-like scent.

Light

Shampoo ginger lily plants prefer full sun to partial shade and at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.

If you want to grow them indoors, you can put them near South or West-facing windows, which get the most light all day. Even a window facing east will do. The least amount of sunlight comes in through windows that face north, so your Shampoo ginger may not do well there.

Place the plant in a location that receives bright, diffused light for at least half the day if you plan on growing it outdoors. This is preferably in a spot that is partially shaded.

Soil

Pinecone ginger prefers nutrient-rich soil with a pH range of slightly acidic to neutral. Plant it in a container with rich potting soil if you live in a region where the plant is regarded as aggressive or invasive.

If growing indoors, use a standard houseplant soil mix and supplement with perlite, vermiculite, or orchid bark to ensure that excess water drains well.

In order to prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged, be sure to plant your shampoo ginger in a container with drainage holes. Waterlogging increases the risk of root rot as well as other fungal diseases.

Water

During their growing season, from late spring to late fall, shampoo ginger plants thrive in consistently moist soil. Keep the plant dry during the winter as it enters dormancy.

As a general rule, your plant should be watered once per week. To avoid fungal infections, water the soil directly rather than the leaves.

Be sure to use a container with drainage holes when planting. Using tap water can lead to a buildup of salts, so distilled water or rainwater is generally recommended instead.

Temperature and Humidity

These are tropical plants, so they like it when it’s warm and humid. However, they can be grown outside in zones as low as 8, and they can handle cold better than other tropical plants. Shampoo ginger plants wil