In Pacific Islands and Asia, leaves and rhizomes are used to flavor meats and fish and make medicines and shampoo. Some varieties of the Zingiber family include beautiful variegated foliage, beehive shaped bracts or even berries. An easy to grow member of the ginger family, they love heat and humidity but prefer shade of filtered sun to look their best.
Some varieties are evergreen, while other take a winter rest.
Commonly called beehive, this medium to tall species has a large yellow and red inflorescence of a beehive shape. Used in the cut flower industry and very long lasting. Inflorescence are borne on short stalks coming from the ground rather than on top of its foliage. It grows to 8' in medium sun. Very hardy to Zone 9.