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Costus woodsonii

Also Known As

  • Costus woodsonii 'Dwarf French Kiss'
  • Dwarf French Kiss Red Buttons Ginger
  • Indian Head Ginger

Plant type

perennial

size

  • H: 3'-12'
  • W: 2'-12'

planting zones

  • 9b-12

More Options

Costus woodsonii plant details

Costus woodsonii is a broadleaf evergreen perennial with green foliage. In summer orange and yellow flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Grows well with bright shade - mostly shade and regular water. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Costus woodsonii

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: costaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 2 FT - 12 FT - wide, 3 FT - 12 FT - tall
Flowers: orange and yellow blooms in summer
Uses: container plant, tropical-looking, woodland garden, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Costus woodsonii

USDA Zones: 9b - 12
Sun exposure: bright shade - mostly shade
Watering frequency: regular
Resistant to: deer, heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

The showy and long-lasting deep red pine-cone like flower heads are produced throughout the growing season and may be produced throughout the year under warm tropical conditions. Dwarf French Kiss is a selection of the Red Buttons Ginger with a compact free flowering habit that lends it to use en mass in a partly shaded garden or landscape or as a low maintenance specimen plant for containers. Orange and yellow individual flowers emerge singly or a few at a time from between the showy red bracts that make up the flower heads. Medium green rounded foliage. The flowers of this compact ginger attract hummingbirds and make an easy long-lasting cut flower. *Note: Most resources recommend shade or filtered sunlight during the hottest portions of the day for Costus woodsonii although it may take full sun where summers are cooler.

Gardening facts about Costus woodsonii plant

How to Grow Costus woodsonii

  • Sun Exposure

    • bright shade - mostly shade
  • Water Needs

    • regular
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • humidity tolerant
    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • orange
    • yellow
  • Wildlife

    • deer resistant
  • Flower Season

    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
  • Texture

    • glossy

See other plant types of Costus for your garden

aka Costus speciosus, Aftican Costus, Spiral Flag

Plant Type

Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

Zones

9a-11

Size

Height: 4'-10'

Width: 3'-8'

  • mostly sun - mostly shade
  • regular
Photo of Cheilocostus speciosus flower by Tau'olunga
View Plant

aka Bamboo Ginger, Snake Ginger, Spiral Ginger

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

10a-12

Size

Height: 4'-6'

Width: 2'-3'

  • mostly sun - dappled shade
  • even moisture
Photo of Costus stenophyllus flower by Peter Richardson
View Plant

More Options

aka Spiral Ginger

Plant Type

Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

Zones

9a-11

Size

Height: 6'-8'

Width: 2'-6'

  • mostly sun - mostly shade
  • regular
Photo of Costus barbatus flower by Tejas Tropicals
View Plant

More Options

aka Costus curvibracteatus 'Green Mountain', Green Mountain Spiral Ginger

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

9a-11

Size

Height: 3'-6'

Width: 2'-4'

  • mostly sun - mostly shade
  • regular
Photo of Costus 'Green Mountain' flower by Tejas Tropicals
View Plant

More Options

aka Costus albus, Zingiber dibius, Spiral Flag

Plant Type

Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber

Zones

9a-11

Size

Height: 4'-6'

Width: 6'-8'

  • mostly sun - mostly shade
  • regular
Photo of Costus dubius flower by Tejas Tropicals
View Plant

More Options

+14 more Costus
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