Plant Care Shampoo Ginger

Shampoo Ginger

About Shampoo Ginger

Wild Ginger is a clumping perennial that has reed-like stems and is native to tropical Asia. It is commonly grown as a houseplant or in a container that can be brought indoors over the winter. Near the end of its growing season, the flowers emerge from the ground. After flowering, the bracts become a showy shade of red. The oils from the rhizome are used in making perfumed soaps.

Taxonomy

Zingiber zerumbet
Zingiber
Zingiberaceae
Zingiberales

Also known as

Bitter Ginger, Bitter Ginger and Pinecone Ginger

How to care for Shampoo Ginger

💦 Water

How often to water your Shampoo Ginger

Water needs for Shampoo Ginger
0.5 cups
every 7

Shampoo Ginger needs 0.5 cups of water every 7 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of Shampoo Ginger

Water 0.5 cups every
7

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Bitter Ginger in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Shampoo Ginger: 3ft from a window
3ft or less from
a window

Shampoo Ginger may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.

Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Shampoo Ginger in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Shampoo Ginger

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Shampoo Ginger: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Shampoo Ginger after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #BitterGinger
💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

Shampoo Ginger is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

Benefits of Growing Bitter Ginger →

Common Bitter Ginger Problems →


💦 Water Needs

Shampoo Ginger is sensitive to dry soil and should be watered frequently. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Bitter Ginger Water Frequency →

Bitter Ginger Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Shampoo Ginger may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Bitter Ginger Light Requirements →

Bitter Ginger Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Shampoo Ginger is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

Is Bitter Ginger Edible? →

Bitter Ginger Toxicity to Cats →

Bitter Ginger Toxicity to Dogs →

Bitter Ginger Toxicity to Humans →


🪴 Soil

Shampoo Ginger is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.

Best Soil Mix for Bitter Ginger →

When and How to Successfully Repot Bitter Ginger →

What Are Healthy Bitter Ginger Roots →


💩 Fertilizer

Shampoo Ginger should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Bitter Ginger →


⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Shampoo Ginger is a clumping plant, meaning new growth will emerge from the soil around the parent plant.

Bitter Ginger Lifecycle →

Bitter Ginger Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Bitter Ginger →


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Shampoo Ginger can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 8a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Bitter Ginger Temperature Tolerance →

Bitter Ginger Hardiness Zones →

Is Bitter Ginger a Weed? →


🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Shampoo Ginger can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate Bitter Ginger →


🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant retiring old leaves.

If it seems like there’s a problem, the most likely cause of yellow leaves in Shampoo Ginger is underwatering. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Yellow leaves can less often be caused by overwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Give your plant a good drink and it should perk back up and download Greg to make sure your plant never goes thirsty again!


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for Shampoo Ginger

Shampoo Ginger

Shampoo Ginger


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 7 days

Placement

< 3ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

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