Cautleya spicata

Also Known As

Chinese Butterfly Ginger

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 24"-36"
W: 18"-24"

planting zones

7a-10b

More Options

Cautleya spicata plant details

Cautleya spicata is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with green foliage. In fall and summer yellow flowers emerge. Attracts hummingbirds. Grows well with mostly sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in alkaline, average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Cautleya spicata

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: zingiberaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 18 IN - 24 IN - wide, 24 IN - 36 IN - tall
Flowers: yellow blooms in fall and summer
Uses: showy bracts, tropical-looking

GROWING CONDITIONS for Cautleya spicata

USDA Zones: 7a - 10b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: humidity and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: alkaline, average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

A fabulous, hardy true ginger with slender, deep green leaves in clumps to about 3 ft tall x 2 ft wide and spikes of yellow, summer flowers surrounded by deep red bracts that continue after the flowers fade. Easy in the garden in part sun to shade with regular water for consistent moisture. Very tropical and frost hardy to at least 10F, USDA zone 8, with reports of success in zone 7. Mulch for extra winter protection.

By: Cistus Nursery

I think I got thisfrom Heronswood. I found it in a back corner of our greenhouse, growing out itspot, looking sad & forlorn...we rescued it and now have a precious few forsale. Broad lance shaped leaves wrap around stems 24-36” tall x 18-24” wide (somewhat Canna like) provide a decidedly tropical look; July>Sept yellow-orange flowers held in red bracts; light shade, consistently moist soil; good under trees, between shrubs. Mulch for winter.

By: Secret Garden Growers

Cautleya spicata is a wonderful hardy shade ginger with slender stems to about three feet tall from which emerge a tropical-looking spike of brilliant yellow flowers subtended by bright red bracts. The flowers emerge successively over a month or more each of which lasts three to five days. The red bracts remain for the entire bloom period. Definitely something you've never before imagined for your shade garden! Mulch in winter for a little extra protection. Similar to C. gracilis but taller with a stouter inflorescence.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

One of our favorite hardy members of the true Ginger family, this bears showy orange-yellow flowers backed by red bracts. Very, very nice. A smidge shorter than the 'Robusta' form but brings the same action and if anything, carries a bit of chip on its shoulder being the "little man" and just over achieves. This is invaluable in our climate where we all keep trying get that tropical looking whatever to grow. Well, this does and without any particular effort on our part which is good. This blooms every year for us, keeps increasing and simply needs a good rich soil that doesn't dry our. We mulch in winter to keep crowns from freezing.