zingiber-gingers

Zingibers, or Beehive Gingers as they are often called can make excellent landscaping specimens in tropical,subtropical and even Sydney gardens. Zingibers are native to southern and south east Asia. With the highest concentration from the tropical and subtropical areas of southern China and Thailand.

Size wise they are generally between 30 cm and 180 cm tall. Inflorescence are produced basally and in rare cases terminally. Beautiful day flowers resembling small orchids are produced daily for months.

The most common beehive that is cultivated ornamentally is Zingiber spectibile. The honeycomb flowers resemble beehives and are produced prolifically. Often with clumps containing 50-100 flowers. There are early and later flower varieties that can be combined to give tropical gardeners beehives for 9 months of the year.

There are also deciduous varieties that are perfect as filler plants or for temperate tropical style gardens.

In general you'll find they grow best in rich, well drained soil in partshade. In winter they may rot if over watered. We sell small bared rooted plants rather than rhizomes as beehive gingers don't always have a 100% strike rate from rhizome.

Beehive Ginger Plant Care

Beehive Gingers: The Ultimate Tropical Showpiece for Mission Beach Gardens

Beehive gingers (Zingiber spectabile) are one of the Wet Tropics’ most iconic landscaping plants—famous for their sculptural “honeycomb” bracts, lush rainforest foliage, and incredible wildlife value. In Mission Beach gardens, they don’t just look spectacular; they actively support the region’s ecological gardening style and thrive in the exact conditions that make this coastline so special.

Why Beehive Gingers Belong in Mission Beach

Mission Beach’s warm humidity, rich soils, and monsoonal rainfall mirror the natural rainforest habitat of beehive gingers. That means:

Strong, reliable growth with minimal fuss
Excellent performance in part‑shade and filtered light
Natural resilience to heavy wet‑season downpours
A lush, layered look that instantly creates a rainforest atmosphere

They’re a dream plant for gardeners who want bold structure without high maintenance.

A Magnet for Wildlife

Beehive gingers are more than ornamental. Their nectar‑rich flowers and dense foliage support a thriving backyard ecosystem:

Honeyeaters and nectar‑feeding birds visit the bracts
Native bees and beneficial insects use the flowers as a food source
Frogs and small reptiles shelter in the cool, moist understory
Butterflies and moths use the foliage for resting and protection

They’re a perfect fit for Mission Beach’s wildlife‑friendly gardening ethos, especially in cassowary country where habitat‑supporting plants matter.

Landscaping Benefits That Stand Out

Beehive gingers offer a rare combination of beauty, structure, and practicality:

Long‑lasting, colourful bracts ideal for tropical flower arrangements
Strong vertical stems that add height and rhythm to garden beds
Clumping growth that fills space and suppresses weeds
Excellent companion plant for heliconias, torch gingers, lipstick palms, and monsteras
Creates natural “microclimates” that keep soil cool and moist

Their architectural form makes them a favourite for tropical resorts, rainforest‑style home gardens, and lush coastal landscapes.