Get It Growing for 08/21/26

Gingers are an excellent way to enjoy both colorful flowers and tropical vibes in the Louisiana landscape. Many gingers do well here, including those in the Hedychium genus, which pair striking aesthetics with an enticing fragrance.

These plants are commonly known as butterfly gingers — so named because the petals of their flowers look like butterfly wings. A honeysuckle-like scent radiates from the uniquely shaped flowers, perfuming the garden throughout the summer bloom season.

Like other gingers, butterfly gingers hail from tropical regions. Those origins allow them to thrive in Louisiana’s heat and humidity. They keep blooming even into late summer, when some warm-season flowering plants begin to falter.

This group of gingers encompasses several species that produce different bloom colors, from whites and yellows to oranges and pinks. A white-flowering variety called Hedychium coronarium is widely grown and noted for its strong, pleasant fragrance.

Butterfly gingers are taller than other gingers, reaching up to 6 feet in height and width, so they need plenty of room. The tall stalks sometimes lean over from the weight of flowers.

Unlike shade-loving gingers such as spiral gingers, butterfly gingers can tolerate a good bit of sun. You’ll get more blooms with more sun, but these plants look their best overall when they’re planted in a spot that’s shaded from the hot, late-afternoon sun. Their large, lance-shaped foliage can scorch otherwise.

As is the case with many tropical plants, butterfly gingers ideally should be planted in early spring after the last average frost date has passed. They often are sold as roots that look much like the culinary ginger you’d buy at the grocery store. Butterfly gingers are popular passalong plants, so you might be able to source some root pieces from a friend or neighbor.

Plant the roots in a location with good drainage, taking care not to bury them too deeply.

Butterfly gingers are root hardy throughout Louisiana. Their leaves and stems will die back in the winter, but their roots generally will survive, enabling the plants to come back when spring arrives. A thick layer of mulch can improve the odds of regrowth, especially in northern parishes that experience colder temperatures.

Learn about butterfly gingers with LSU AgCenter horticulturist Jason Stagg.

Butterfly ginger blooms are fragrant and can be found in many colors, including yellow. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Butterfly gingers get their name from the shape of their flowers. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Butterfly gingers can tolerate more sun than other gingers, but they still benefit from protection from the hot afternoon sun. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Butterfly gingers can reach up to 6 feet tall and wide. Stalks sometimes lean over when flowers are present. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter