Etlingera Species, Torch Ginger, Wax Flower

Etlingeraelatior

Genus
Etlingera (et-LING-er-a)
Species
elatior (ee-LAY-tee-or)
Synonym
Nicolaia elatior
Phaeomeria magnifica
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Partial to Full Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Smooth
Height
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
Spacing
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Bloom Color
Pink
Red
Gold (yellow-orange)
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Flowers are good for cutting
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
Seed Collecting
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Homestead, Florida

Loxahatchee, Florida

Miami, Florida(2 reports)

Saint Petersburg, Florida

Venus, Florida

Hoschton, Georgia

Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaii

Honomu, Hawaii

Kailua, Hawaii

Kaneohe Station, Hawaii

Keaau, Hawaii

Kihei, Hawaii

MILILANI, Hawaii

Maunawili, Hawaii

Orchidlands Estates, Hawaii

New Orleans, Louisiana

Humble, Texas

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

4
positives
1
neutral
1
negative
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F
Kailua, HI | September 2015 | positive

In Hawaii, torch ginger grows in the wet areas next to mountains, places like Nuuanu, Maunawili, Haiku Valley, Manoa. Red and pink torch ...Read More

E
(Zone 10a) | October 2014 | negative

IF YOU LIVE OUTSIDE THE TROPICS, PLEASE AVOID GROWING THIS PLANT. IT WILL NEVER BLOOM FOR YOU AND WILL SUFFER. IT IS A COMPLETE WASTE OF ...Read More

W
W
Mililani, HI | May 2009 | positive

have white torch in bud

F
Honomu, HI (Zone 11) | November 2004 | positive

I love using torch gingers in flower arrangements mixed with other plants.....they are quite expectacular!

M
(Zone 11) | April 2004 | positive

An imponent ginger, the stem can grow pretty tall, around 2 meters, growing in dense thickets based on its rhyzome. The inflorescence com...Read More

X
X
| May 2002 | neutral

Plant strives in rich loamy/clay soils that are not too wet. Would benefit from mulch of dried leaves to maintain a cool constant tempera...Read More

Featured
Syrphid Fly
(Toxomerus politus)
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(Anser anser)
Featured
Syrphid Fly
(Toxomerus politus)
Greylag Goose
(Anser anser)