Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’

Origin of Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’

Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’ is a variegated selection of Alpinia zerumbet. The species occurs naturally from southern Japan to Taiwan and from southern China to northern Peninsular Malaysia, where it grows in warm, moist habitats including open woodland.

How to care for Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’

Light. Give bright indoor light. Morning or late-afternoon direct sun through glass can be suitable.

Temperature and humidity. The plant grows comfortably at 20–30 °C and should not remain below 15 °C for long. As a practical humidity target, target relative humidity of about 50–60%.

Watering and mix. Use an organic-rich mix that drains freely. Keep moisture steady around the rhizomes and water when the surface begins to dry. Water the whole root ball thoroughly, let it drain and empty any water left beneath the pot.

Feeding. Feed about once a month during active growth with a balanced houseplant fertiliser at moderate strength.

Repotting. As the rhizomes spread, an established clump may need more space. Repot when roots and rhizomes have filled the pot.

Division. Separate rooted rhizome sections with at least one healthy shoot and pot them individually in fresh mix.

Troubleshooting Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’

• Brown, crisp leaf edges: the root ball may be getting too dry between waterings, the surrounding air may be very dry, or the plant may have been exposed to cold. Check the root ball first and water if it is dry. If the mix is still moist, raise humidity around the foliage; after cold exposure, move the plant to a warmer, sheltered position.
• Drooping while the potting mix is wet: roots may be short of air and beginning to rot. Let the pot drain and inspect the roots. Cut any soft brown sections back to healthy tissue with a clean tool, discard the rotten material, then repot the healthy plant in fresh, well-drained mix.
• Pale or scorched patches: sudden exposure to strong direct sun can damage the leaves. Move the plant away from strong direct sun, then reintroduce direct sun gradually.
• Cottony white insects tucked around the leaf bases: mealybugs are likely. Move the plant away from other houseplants and remove the insects you can see. If they return, use a treatment labelled for mealybugs on ornamental houseplants. Repeat it only as directed on the label.

Keep Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’ away from children and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its effects after chewing or swallowing are unclear, and plant material can still cause an upset stomach.
• Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop or do not settle.

Alpinia zerumbet: name and meaning

The genus Alpinia honours Venetian physician and botanist Prospero Alpini. The epithet zerumbet preserves an old vernacular name used for an aromatic ginger.

William Roxburgh established the genus Alpinia in 1810 in Asiatic Researches, volume 11, page 350.

Christiaan Hendrik Persoon first described it as Costus zerumbet in 1805 in Synopsis Plantarum, volume 1, page 3. Brian Laurence Burtt and Rosemary Margaret Smith later placed it in Alpinia as Alpinia zerumbet in 1972 in Notes from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, volume 31, page 204.