Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Zingiberaceae

Genus:

Etlingera

Species:

Etlingera elatior

USDA Symbol:

ETEL

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

600 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

jan,feb,mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov,dec

Bloom Colors:

pink, red

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, butterflies

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fragrant:

Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rich, well-drained loamy soil

pH:

5.5 - 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

thrives in humid, tropical environments

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

None required

Germination Time:

21–90 days

Notes:

Fresh seeds germinate best; requires warm temperatures (25-30°C) and consistent moisture. Germination can be slow and erratic.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI