


Root rot on your Red button ginger (Costus woodsonii) can be dangerous if left untreated. Why does my Costus woodsonii roots have rot?

In its second or third growing season, the plant will grow at a moderate rate and eventually reach a mature height of three to four feet. Red button ginger can be planted in early spring or year-round in tropical environments. The red cone is attractive to hummingbirds. Red button ginger is a bold addition to the garden because of its glossy green, oval-shaped foliage and bright red spiky cones, which produce vibrant yellow-orange flowers. Hawaiians would also use the red ginger’s stem to cure stomachaches and headaches.NOTE: In this article, Red button ginger and Costus woodsonii may be used interchangeably in fact, Costus woodsonii is the botanical name for Red button ginger. In Hawaii, royalty wore leis of red ginger in ceremonies. Cut off flowers at the ground once they’ve passed their prime. Info: This container plant may attract bees, butterflies or certain wild birds to your balcony garden. You can also plant offsets or divide the rhizomes for propagation. Propagation: The red ginger plant rarely produces seeds, but if it does, the seeds will take up to three weeks to germinate, and from two to three years to become a mature, flowering plant. But this plant is generally healthy and easy to care for. Pests and Diseases: Red ginger can be plagued by aphids, mealybugs, earwigs, thrips, scale, fungus, root rot and nematodes. If you live in a colder area, bring your red ginger into an indoor garden during the winter.įertilizer: The red ginger plant grows best in rich soil, so fertilize monthly with a high- nitrogen liquid fertilizer. The plant's foliage will begin to die at 41 degrees. Temperature: Do not let red ginger experience temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit for long periods of time. Water: When it comes to watering the red ginger plant, make sure its soil constantly moist. Light: Partial sun is fine, but red ginger will grow best in full sun.
