Flower Library
Red Ginger
Alpinia · Zingiberaceae
Red ginger is one of the most imposing tropical cut flowers: a strong, smooth stem topped with a glowing red, cone-shaped head of waxy bracts. It instantly brings a holiday feeling and generosity into a room, and as an imported flower it lasts remarkably long. For exotic bouquets and large vessel work we buy it fresh from the Veiling Rhein-Maas — with tropical stock the transport chain decides the quality, so we inspect it especially closely.
- Season
- Year-round
- Vase life
- 10–14 days
- Latin name
- Alpinia
- Colors
- Bright red, Deep red, Pink
As with many exotics, the coloured parts are not petals but waxy bracts — the small true flowers appear white between them. This is why the cone stays presentable for so long: the bracts do not wilt like delicate petals, they only dry down slowly.
The trade is dominated by Alpinia purpurata in bright red, alongside pink forms such as „Eileen McDonald“ and double varieties like „Jungle King“ with denser cones. The stems are long and heavy — when buying, check for a firm, unbroken neck directly below the cone.
In floristry red ginger is a flower for large formats and clean lines. It carries reception arrangements, floor vases and exotic bouquets, combined with strelitzias, anthuriums and large-scale foliage. In small bouquets it quickly looks out of proportion — better a single stem solo there.
The most important care point is warmth: as a tropical plant, alpinia does not tolerate temperatures below about twelve degrees. Fridges and cold draughts cause dark, watery patches on the bracts. In winter it should also be well wrapped for the journey home.
A pro tip for tropical stock: mist the whole flower head with water occasionally or rinse it briefly. The bracts absorb moisture and stay plump longer — in their homeland, after all, they stand in warm, humid rainforest air.
Is Red Ginger toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Non-toxic
- Cats
- Non-toxic
- Dogs
- Non-toxic
The ginger family is considered non-toxic to cats, dogs and people; related species even serve as spices. Eating the ornamental plant is still not advised.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Give the stem a generous fresh cut — tropical stock has often travelled far.
- 02Place it in a tall, stable vase with plenty of room-temperature water.
- 03Keep it warm: never below twelve degrees, no cold windowsill, no fridge.
- 04Mist the flower head with water every few days to keep the bracts plump.
- 05Change the water every two to three days and recut the stem.
- 06Avoid direct radiator air — it dries the cones out from the outside.
Frequently asked
- How long does red ginger last in the vase?
- In a warm spot with regular misting, around ten to fourteen days. The waxy bracts do not wilt but dry down slowly — so the flower stays decorative for a long time before it visibly ages.
- Is alpinia toxic to cats and dogs?
- No, the ginger family is considered non-toxic to pets and people — some alpinia species are even used as a spice in Asia (galangal). Red ginger is therefore a safe exotic choice for households with pets or children.
- Why is my red ginger getting dark patches?
- Cold is usually the culprit: temperatures below about twelve degrees damage the bract tissue, and the patches often appear only days later. Dry radiator air also browns the cones from the edges inward — misting helps against that.
- Where does the red ginger at the florist come from?
- Almost exclusively from tropical imports — Costa Rica, the Caribbean, Hawaii and Southeast Asia are the classic origins. The stock reaches us by air freight via the auction, which is why freshness and an unbroken warm chain matter especially here.