Pine Cone (Shampoo) Ginger Varieties to Grow Indoors this November

Pine cone ginger goes by many monikers, including awapuhi, shampoo, and wild ginger. The names reflect its aromatic attributes and distinct pine cone-shaped inflorescences that emerge in summer and ripen in fall.

The intriguing ginger species offers culinary flavor in its leaves and rhizomes. Most captivating, though, is a sweetly fragrant, soapy liquid produced by the cones. With proper care, we can grow our own shampoo and enjoy striking florals in the meantime.

Pine cone ginger is native to subtropical Asia, where it enjoys moderate temperatures and moist, humid conditions. In the dry season, Zingiber zerumbet enters dormancy. Depending on the climate, leaves and stalky stems remain semi-evergreen or die back.

Growing pine cone ginger varieties indoors in November provides protection from cold, wet conditions during dormancy. It survives outdoors all year in USDA zones 8 through 10, and overwinters as a houseplant in colder climates. Bring shampoo ginger indoors as temperatures drop in the fall and until frost passes in spring.

About Shampoo Ginger

Zingiber zerumbet is in the Zingiberaceae family, which holds ornamental flowering gingers and includes culinary ginger and other spices like turmeric and cardamom. The ornamental and edible types share similar growing requirements, with lush leaves on stalky stems and spreading, rhizomatous roots.

Shampoo ginger originates in India and Southeast Asia, growing in moist and humid areas along waterfalls and streams, and in organically rich soils. In pots, leafy stalks are likely to reach three or four feet. Each long leaf can grow to one foot long in solid green or with creamy white or yellow variegation.

In the proper growing conditions, pine cone ginger is low-maintenance. Growing it in pots helps control the spread of vigorous rhizomes and makes for easy indoor growing starting in November.

Overwintering Indoors

Wild ginger enjoys spending warm spring and summer months outdoors, but needs protection as temperatures drop in the fall. They won’t withstand temperatures below 40°F (4°C), so bring them inside or move them to a greenhouse. Growth naturally slows in the cool season, as cooler temperatures and shorter day lengths trigger dormancy.

Pine cone ginger can grow indoors all year as a houseplant, and average room temperatures are sufficient for indoor growth. Move pots back outside in spring for exposure to naturally warm, moist conditions.

Reacclimate them after the last frost and when temperatures are consistently above 50°F (10°C). Optimal growing temperatures are in the low to mid-70s (21°C).

Container Selection and Potting Media

Containers with a large diameter (at least 12 to 18 inches), about 12 inches deep, support rhizome growth with ample room for the average 9 to 12 leafy stalks at maturity. If you’re starting with a small division or pass-along rhizome, begin with a smaller pot.

Repot as the specimen develops more roots and shoots in spring. A container that’s too large holds excess moisture in the surrounding soil.

Pots with good drainage are essential to prevent root problems. The tropicals need regular water, and it should drain freely through the base to prevent oversaturation.

A high-quality potting mix is ideal for filling the container. A formula tailored to tropical houseplants supplies nutrients while being light and fluffy for aeration, drainage, and moisture retention. A rich, organic, well-draining potting medium is best. 

Optimal Indoor Lighting

The best spot for indoor pine cone ginger varieties in November is in bright, indirect light. Near a bright window but out of direct sunlight is ideal. Too much direct sun, especially afternoon rays, can burn leaves. 

East-facing windows supply ample morning sun exposure. South-facing orientations offer the most light, especially for overwintering with shorter days. Situate the pots a few feet away from the window or use a curtain to filter direct sunlight.

Reduce Watering, Raise Humidity

Gingers need regular water during the growing season, with evenly moist soils fostering the most shampoo-producing cones. During winter dormancy, they need infrequent watering. Reduce the watering regimen based on the feel of the soil.

As growth slows, roots uptake less moisture, and evaporation lessens in the cool season. When the soil feels dry to about two inches deep (two knuckles), water thoroughly until it runs through the drainage holes.

Frequency may be every few weeks, but it depends on environmental factors like atmosphere, lighting, container material, and soil. Plant size, too, plays into how often to water when overwintering indoors. The key is to avoid overwatering and prolonged soggy conditions, which cause fungal problems like rot for dormant rhizomes.

Use tepid or lukewarm water at each session to promote humidity and avoid shocking the roots. Empty saucers shortly after pots drain to avoid excess moisture absorption.

Wild ginger enjoys high humidity, and average household levels around 50 to 60% are fine. In winter, our indoor humidity may reduce as we rely on heaters, vents, and fireplaces. A humidifier is a reliable resource for maintaining consistent humidity for tropical houseplants.

Or, to raise the ambient humidity level, place the pot on a tray of pebbles filled with water. You can also group houseplants to create a microclimate that boosts immediate humidity from soil moisture, evaporation, and transpiration.

Pine Cone Ginger Varieties

Most of the pine cone ginger available is the straight species, Zingiber zerumbet, in all of its red-coned, tall-stemmed glory. For pine cone ginger varieties to grow indoors in November, look for the species and also variegated cultivars with yellow or white-streaked highlights.

Zingiber zerumbet

	botanical name Zingiber zerumbet
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4-6’
	hardiness zones 8-10

Awapuhi, shampoo ginger, wild ginger, and pinecone lily are common names for the straight species native to India and Southeast Asia. In its natural range, wild ginger grows near waterfalls and streams where its clumping, reedy stalks can reach seven feet tall. Cooked leaves and rhizomes are edible for a gingery flavor in cuisine.

In mid to late summer, lime green pinecone-shaped bracts emerge on the stem. They produce small, fragrant white flowers with sweet floral notes. After flowering, the green cones mature to deep red. The refreshing “shampoo” is ready to harvest when the bracts are in the red stage.

To extract the lather, leave cones on the stem and apply a gentle squeeze. Hold them over a container to catch the liquid. With only a light squeeze, cones will refill in a day or two for additional harvesting.

To draw more liquid all at once, clip the stem and firmly squeeze all the juice over a jar or bowl. Use the floral, ginger-scented “shampoo” fresh, or freeze it in ice cube trays for future use. 

‘Darcyi’

	botanical name Zingiber zerumbet ‘Darcyi’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-5’
	hardiness zones 8-10

‘Darceyi’ (sometimes ‘Darcyi’) is one of the variegated pine cone ginger varieties to grow indoors in November. With long, strappy leaves in medium green with white striping, it adds a splash of color. Attractive even when not in flower, the variegation heightens visual interest in a houseplant jungle or shaded garden corner.

Variegation varies, but ‘Darcyi’ often shows ribbons of creamy white and gold leaf margins. While not as vigorous as the straight species in its spread, it produces the same green-to-red cones in late summer. ‘Darceyi’ shows better multiplication with sun exposure.

‘Twice As Nice’

	botanical name Zingiber zerumbet ‘Twice As Nice’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3’
	hardiness zones 8-10

‘Twice As Nice’ is a dwarf pine cone ginger variety with smaller stalks, flowers, and cones. It brings added visual and textural interest with basal cones in addition to the shampoo-producing red cones at the top of stems.

With a compact form, ‘Twice As Nice’ is ideal for container culture with easy growth and flowering. Enjoy twice the intrigue and the traditional floral, sweet ginger soap.