PlantFiles: Hidden Ginger, Hidden Lily
Curcuma petiolata

A friend shared these with me a year or so ago. My plants were really pretty and were growing in full sun with my other tropicals. I dug these up and put them in a pot when we moved this spring. They were still dormant when I dug them. To my complete surprise they bloomed even before the leaves emerged. I have since learned that they prefer some shade. They are now over 3 ft tall and really nice plants. They are still in pots, but I think I may plant them under the banana plants. It should make a nice grouping, and the bananas should give them enough shade.

I bought one at my local Ace Hardware, from whom I have had very favorable success so far with previous plants. This plant did well for about 1 month, then began to brown at the edges. It received late afternoon direct sun and was watered every other day. I tried moving it several times, since it remained in the pot, however the browning continued. Lately I have noticed several new leaves, but they likewise began to brown at the edges. Any suggestions? Thanks, George

Love this plant! A neighbor had me remove 1 ft. tall specimens from her shaded bed a couple of years ago. I planted where they get 4-5 hrs. full sun & they get 3 ft. tall. Not much "baby-sitting." Propagates well. Now, I'm thinning & sharing with others in the community. Dies back in winter. Roars back in late spring.

I grew these this year in full blazing all day sun and they did well. The edges of the abundant foliage burned a very small amount but other than this, they did grow to about 5 feet tall and multiplied rampantly. They were very slow to emerge, but once they started they grew quickly. Last year, I had cannas and an overwhelming amount of leafrollers. These hidden ginger plants do not seem affected by leafrollers like the cannas were. I am moving them to pots because they grew taller than expected and because they multiplied exponentially in a very short amount of time. Mine never did bloom, so I'm rating them a neutral and hoping that in the pots, in partial shade, they will bloom next year.

It grows here in Gainesville,Fl in semi-shade under Oak trees.Never have to do anything special for it and it comes back year after year.Absolutely,positively an eye catcher!

Last fall I planted 4 curcuma gingers after seeing them in a nursery and not being able to pass them up. The plants have varigated leaves that remind me of hostas in their coloring. They died down to the ground during the winter and were somewhat late in sprouting this spring. I was beginning to think they'd died by the time they finally started to grow. Now the plants are about 4 feet tall and each plant has at least doubled the number of stalks it has now compared to when I bought them. Where I live in central Florida the plants bloom starting in mid-summer. The flower bed I planted my curcuma gingers in also contains common canna, wandering jew, caladiums, a variety of ferns, spiral ginger, and a large old wash tub full of spider plants and is shaded by a medium sized sweet gum tree. The overall effect is amazing, although the gingers are most eye catching of the plants!

Here in Vero Beach, FL "Hidden Ginger" purchased at Lowe's are in bloom. Also I purchased another variety at Lowe's which was designated as a "Hidden Lily" which is just beginning to flower. I will take pictures of the "Hidden Lily" and post here as it looks different from the other pictures. Both are absolutely beautiful the flower of the "Hidden Ginger" in comparison to the "Hidden Lily" are small. The "Hidden Lily" flower is absolutely enormous. Quite pleased with both plants

This is a great plant for zone8 and warmer. It is about the last thing to emerge (May) here in MS. Both the species and the variegated 'Emperor' do well...the species flower is more spectacular. It seems to prefer part shade/part sun..those in deep shade don't seem as vigorous. It is very pest-free. It is spectacular massed and is a great foliage plant. Highly recommended, if you can find it.

This is a lovely plant for a shaded setting. From a distance it looks like a small banana tree, but the prominent diagonal striations on the leaves sets it apart. The bloom is spectacular!