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Flower profile

Ginger

Quick facts

Botanical name: Alpinia purpurata (red ginger). In SAF's language of flowers, ginger means proud.

Ginger at a glance

Meaning
proud
Colors
  • Red
  • Pink
Season
Year-round from tropical growers (Hawaii research notes harvest in every month).
Special care
Re-cut the stem before placing in water - this alone nearly doubled vase life in University of Hawaii trials. Use flower food (sugar plus a preservative) in the water. Keep warm: ginger is chilling-sensitive, so never refrigerate below about 54 F (12 C).
Size
Commercial stems run about 2 to 2.5 feet long
Also called
Red ginger, Ornamental ginger, Ginger lily

About gingers

A tropical cut flower: a tall stem topped by a cone of overlapping waxy bracts, usually bright red or pink; the true flowers are small and white. Commercial stems run about 2 to 2.5 feet long.

How to make gingers last

  1. Keep them cool until they are in water. Keep your flowers in a cool place until you can get them into a flower food solution.
  2. Fill a clean vase with water and flower food. Use a clean, deep vase and add the flower food from your florist, following the mixing directions on the packet.
  3. Remove leaves below the waterline. Leaves in water promote bacterial growth that can limit water uptake by the flower.
  4. Re-cut the stems. Remove one to two inches with a sharp knife or clippers that will not crush the stems, then place the flowers straight into the vase.
  5. For gingers. Re-cut the stem before placing in water - this alone nearly doubled vase life in University of Hawaii trials. Use flower food (sugar plus a preservative) in the water. Keep warm: ginger is chilling-sensitive, so never refrigerate below about 54 F (12 C).
  6. Keep them in a cool spot. 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents and ceiling fans.

Care steps from SAF’s flower care tips. More flower care tips →

Questions about gingers

What does the ginger mean?

In the traditional language of flowers, the ginger stands for "proud".

What colors do gingers come in?

Gingers come in red and pink.

How do you care for gingers?

Keep gingers cool until they are in water, use a clean vase with flower food, remove any leaves below the waterline, re-cut the stems by one to two inches and keep the vase at 65 to 72 degrees, away from direct sunlight and vents. For gingers: Re-cut the stem before placing in water - this alone nearly doubled vase life in University of Hawaii trials. Use flower food (sugar plus a preservative) in the water. Keep warm: ginger is chilling-sensitive, so never refrigerate below about 54 F (12 C).

Where can I buy gingers?

From a local SAF member florist. Enter the recipient's ZIP code on this page to find florists near them.

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