Propagation
Division of the rhizome during spring is the normal method of propagation. Plant the shoot buds upwards at a depth of 40mm (1⅝ in) in a pot and place it in a warm semi-shaded position and apply slow release fertilise and keep moist. Plant out when established.

Sow fresh seeds in containers during spring.

Botanic information
Leaf: The glossy dark green narrow to broad elliptical leaves are arranged on one-sided of the spiral bamboo-like branchlets. The apex is acuminate and the petiole is short with a tubular sheath.

Note:
In some publications the leaves are documented as being pinnate and are arranged on one side of a spiral rachis alternately along the stems.

Flower: The small yellowish 2-3 lipped tubular flowers are arranged in a cone-like spike and are accompanied with pointed red bracts. They appear on a short leafless shoot that arises from the rhizome and is up to 300mm (1ft) long. They appear during spring or sporadically throughout the year in tropical regions.

Fruit: The capsule has 2-3 valves and dehisces loculicidally or is indehiscent and the apex has a persistent calyx lobes. It contains numerous black seeds that are viable but the plant is commonly reproduced vegetatively.