How to Grow Roscoea Plants
Guide to Growing Roscoea in the Garden
Roscoea are hardy or half hardy perennials that range from 15 to 45 cm (6 to 18 inches) in height
Roscoea have erect lance shaped leaves
They bloom from late spring to autumn (species dependent) with hooded and lipped flowers.
Roscoea 'Red Gurkha' by Stephen Hopkins63.
Roscoea Growing and Care Guide
- Common Names: Roscoea.
- Life Cycle: Hardy perennial. Half-hardy perennial.
- Height: 6 to 15 inches (15—38 cm).
- Native: Asia.
- Growing Region: Zones 5 to 10.
- Flowers: Species dependent: Late spring through to autumn; depending on species.
- Flower Details: Bourn on spikes. White, cream, purple. Lipped. Pale hood. Orchid-like. Three petals.
- Foliage: Herbaceous. Pseudostem leaf cone. Erect. Sheathed lower leaf. Oblong to lanceolate upper leaf.
- Plant Outside:
Seeds: Surface . Autumn or winter. Seeds should first be sown into flats. Next sink the flat into the ground in an area that offers shade, preferably close to a wall that faces north. Provide a glass/plastic covering. Keep an eye on the flats to ensure that the soil remains moist and to check if seedlings have emerged. Relocate to their final position when seedlings are well established.
Roots: 6 inches (15 cm). Autumn or winter. - Sow Inside: Germination time: one month to one year. Light. Temperature: 50°F (10°C). Mix seeds in a moist growing medium. Stratify by refrigeration for two or three weeks. Transplant outdoors following the last frost. Spacing: 6 inches (15 cm).
- Requirements and care: Full sunlight or partial shade. Good drainage. Moist soil. Enrich soil organically. Provide mulch. Do not overcrowd as may topple. Regular watering during periods of growth. Bulks up quickly so may require frequent division.
- Propagate: through dividing in the spring, or at the beginning of summer.
- Family: Zingiberaceae
- Closely Related Species: Ginger, Hedychium, and Renealmia.
- Miscellaneous: Performs well in containers. Genus contains 22 species.
How to Grow Roscoea
Roscoea likes to grow in cool humid areas. They can be grown either from roots (bury 15 cm / 6 inches deep) or seeds (sow in flats on the surface). Sow / bury Roscoea outdoors in autumn or winter.
Due to the variation in germination time, from one month to one year, it is probably easiest to grow Roscoea from Rhizomes.
If you want to try to grow Roscoea from seeds, then sow in flats in a shady area of the garden under glass. As soon as Roscoea seedlings appear remove the glass.
Transfer to a sunny or partially shaded area of the garden that has a moist, organic and cool soil, when big enough to safely handle.
Caring for Roscoea
It is important that the soil that Roscoea grows in is moist, so keep well watered and mulch the soil to keep the roots cool.
If you require more plants, then they can be propagated by dividing in spring. This is a better method than by growing Roscoea from seed.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Roscoea. You may also enjoy the following growing guides: How to grow Ginger Lily and Wild Ginger.
If you enjoy the information on this site, then you'll love my book: The Gardener's HQ Plant Growing Guide. Available for Kindle (MOBI), iPad (ePub) and as a PDF.
Genus Index E
