Awapuhi Shampoo Ginger (Zingiber zerumbet)

4.8
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
14 Reviews
Regular price $29.95
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Pot Size

Zingiber zerumbet, commonly known as Shampoo Ginger, is perennial from the ginger family of plants. It grows great in moist, shaded, forested areas in tropical areas around the world such as it's native home Hawaii. It is a deciduous ginger that goes dormant in the winter. Both the leaves and the pine cone-like inflorescence's arise each year in the summer from underground rhizomes. The floral bracts are green when young and red when mature.

The flowers and rhizomes are very fragrant, with a pleasant warm ginger spice scent. They produce a red juice that collects inside of the flower cone. It is slightly sudsy (saponins!) and the cones can be squeezed and used for shampoo, hence the name of the plant! Collecting the sap into a paste and applying it to the hair can help brighten and condition it. The sap can also be massaged into the skin. The root is edible and traditionally used in native medicine, but is bitter to the taste, because of saponins, and seldom used. This plant and extracts of it are used in several popular industrial hair cleaning and conditioning products. Shampoo Ginger is a great plant for those seeking a natural solution to hygiene and hair care. 

The leaves and leaf stalks are edible, and can be used in cooking to impart a ginger flavor and taste to pork, fish, and other sources of meat. Traditionally meat is wrapped in the leaves and placed in underground ovens to cook. Medicinally the plant has several well researched uses including as an anti-inflammatory, for digestive issues, for treating diarrhea, and for treating intestinal worms. Usually, the leaves and rhizomes are macerated, powdered, and combined with alcohol as a tincture for use in Traditional Chinese Medicine. 

Plant Type:
Rhizomatous Perennial Herb

Harvest Season: 
Turmeric: Late Summer - early Winter or after 8-10 months of planting.

Mature Size: 
Turmeric: Up to about 3 ft. tall
Ginger: Up to 3 ft. tall
Lesser Galangal: Up to 6 ft. tall
Greater Galangal: Up to 10 ft. tall

Soil & Moisture: 
Loose, nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. Water in the Spring and Summer. Do not water when dormant.

Light Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Self-Fertile:
Yes

Growth Rate:

Medium for Turmeric and Ginger: capable of harvest after 8-10 months.

Slow for Lesser Galangal: best after 2 years of growth.

Zone Hardiness:
Outdoors 8-11 (frost protection until established); Patio/Greenhouse 4+


Propagation:
Our Root Plants are grown from division and tissue culture and are capable of harvest within growing season. 

4.8
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
Based on 14 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 12 Total 4 star reviews: 1 Total 3 star reviews: 1 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
93%would recommend this product
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14 reviews
  • J
    Jamie
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Years Gardening 10+
    Grown This Variety Before? No
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    6 months ago
    Great condition.

    My plant came in very well packed and in great condition. It even has a cone on it. It is bigger than I expected but that's ok we'll find space. I love it. Thank you

  • JH
    Jacqueline H.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Years Gardening 10+
    Grown This Variety Before? No
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    9 months ago
    Shampoo plant

    My plant came in healthy and strong, I put in in the pot in my green house and it is doing amazing. It is starting to grow new growth. Thank you I will recommend you to everybody I can think of

  • T
    Taylor
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Years Gardening 10+
    Grown This Variety Before? Yes
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    10 months ago
    Awapuhi

    My plant arrived completely secured in the shipment box, soil and all. I really appreciate the care taken to keep the awapuhi plant healthy. There was no browning on the leaves and incredibly tall. I am completely satisfied with my purchase, and I wish I bought more from Sow exotics before any other places online that I ordered from.

  • A
    Anna
    Verified Buyer
    Years Gardening 10+
    Rated 3 out of 5 stars
    2 weeks ago
    Disappointed 😞

    This is not first purchase in this shop. Ginger plant came tiny for this price. Root system was unhealthy. I care about it so much but unfortunately it is dead now. I'm very upset

  • M
    McGreevy
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    1 month ago
    5 Stars

    The rhizomes arrived in excellent condition! I look forward to watching them bloom in spring

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