Gingers for Landscaping Tropical Gardens for a Lush Jungle garden Look that Attracts Wildlife to Your Garden

Gingers constitute a wide and diverse family within the Zingiberales. The are closely related to heliconias, costus and bananas. There are over 1200 species of gingers, over 1000 of them occurring in Tropical Asia. There are even a few native to Australia! Gingers are not only used ornamentally but also medicinally and as a food source. Lush and tropical, gingers are a key component in a Resort Style Tropical Garden.

As a rule they tend to be more cold hardy than heliconias and prefer partial shade. Like heliconias, they like rich well drained soil and are heavy feeders. Torch gingers are more tolerant of heavy clay than other gingers. Hedychiums and curcumas are the most cold hardy of the gingers with a few alpinias being cold hardy as well.

Please note: Most of our gingers are sent as rhizomes.

Ginger Plants

Growing tropical gingers on the Cassowary Coast and Mission Beach

Ginger plants are a defining feature of gardens across the Cassowary Coast and Mission Beach, thriving in the warm, humid conditions of Far North Queensland. With their bold foliage, striking flowers and strong rainforest presence, gingers bring structure, colour and movement to tropical landscapes. At El Arish Tropical Exotics, we specialise in ginger varieties that are well suited to local conditions, including Etlingera torch gingers and beehive gingers, grown and selected for reliability in high‑rainfall, cassowary‑country environments.

The Cassowary Coast offers ideal growing conditions for gingers, with rich soils, warm temperatures and consistent moisture throughout the year. Most ginger species prefer filtered light or gentle morning sun, protection from strong winds and deep, organic soils that drain freely while retaining moisture. In Mission Beach gardens, gingers perform best when planted in sheltered positions that mimic rainforest edges, where humidity remains high and soil temperatures stay warm. Heavy mulching is essential, helping to protect rhizomes, suppress weeds and maintain soil health during both the wet and dry seasons.

Etlingera gingers, including torch gingers, are among the most dramatic plants for tropical gardens. Known for their large, sculptural flowers and lush foliage, they thrive in the warm, wet conditions of FNQ and respond well to rich soil and regular feeding. Etlingera species prefer part shade, consistent moisture and space to form strong clumps. In well‑established gardens, they become long‑lived feature plants that flower reliably and create a strong sense of rainforest scale. They attract sunbirds, bees, honeyeater as well as other native animals as well are providing protection for them.

Beehive gingers are another standout choice for Cassowary Coast gardens. Their distinctive cone‑shaped flowers emerge at ground level, making them ideal for layered plantings and shaded garden beds. Beehive gingers are generally hardy, adaptable and well suited to the humid coastal climate, performing best in sheltered positions with good airflow. They are excellent for creating texture and interest beneath taller canopy plants and integrate beautifully into wildlife‑friendly landscapes as they provide food for nectar feeding birds and insects.

All ginger plants benefit from regular feeding during the warmer months, removal of old or spent canes, and occasional thinning to improve airflow. With the right care, gingers grow quickly, recover well after seasonal weather events and provide year‑round tropical impact. Whether used as feature plants, screening or part of a layered rainforest garden, gingers are an essential element of gardening on the Cassowary Coast and Mission Beach.

Please read our Torch Ginger Care Guide and Beehive Ginger Care Guide for more information on landscaping and growing ginger plants.