Zingiber spectabile is a species of true ginger, native to Maritime Southeast Asia. It is primarily grown in the West as an ornamental plant, although it has been used in South-East Asia as a medicinal herb.
Red button ginger plants love water and should be soaked regularly in order to maintain moist soil. In most climates, a once-weekly deep watering is sufficient, but you may need to increase your watering cadence if you're experiencing especially hot or dry weather. Ultimately, you should never let the soil dry out completely.
Red button ginger thrives in full sun but can also do well in partial shade, especially in particularly hot conditions. As a good rule of thumb, plant your red button ginger somewhere that gets at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day. Red button ginger is also susceptible to sunburn if it's left in direct sunlight for too long, so if you can offer it some afternoon shade, that would be best.
Your red button ginger plant will probably do just fine without fertilizer (especially if you've planted it in a soil rich with organic matter), but it also won't hurt the plant to periodically be fed with a balance blend. Feed your red button ginger plant once a month with a liquid fertilizerâyou can also choose a fertilizer that's high in nitrogen for a chance at increased flower production.
Plant your red button ginger in a soil mixture that is moist but well-draining. It will thrive best in a rich and moderately fertile mixtureâyou can up the nutritional value of your soil by amending it with a bit of organic matter. Additionally, red button ginger can thrive in a soil mixture that has a pH level that ranges from neutral to acidic.
True to its tropical nature, red button ginger loves warm and humid temperatures. In fact, if temperatures remain above 50 degrees Fahrenheit all throughout the year, there's a good chance it will flower continuously.
If you're choosing to pot up your red button ginger, group several plants together in large containers that are at least 3 gallons in size and provide excellent drainage. In cooler parts of the world, red button ginger can be cared for indoors as a houseplant.
