This perennial has a fleshy rhizome with upright light tan coloured bamboo-like stems and forms a clump. It has dark green broad elliptical leaves and produces yellow tube-shaped flowers in a cone-like flower head from the rhizome during summer.

Hardiness zones 10 to 12

Tapeinochilos pubescensis naturally found in Papua New Guinea growing in the understory of forests commonly along water courses from sea level to the lower mountain slopes.

It prefers a well to moderately drained organic rich moist soil that is tending acidic and grows in a semi shaded to sunny wind protected position and is frost and drought tender.

The Backscratcher Ginger is grown for is flowers and its clumping habit. It is planted in small or tropical gardens along borders or around water features. It is also grown in rainforest settings and is suitable for coastal and low-mountain regions. It establishes from division in 3-4 years and is long lived. In cold regions it is cultivated under glass and requires bright filtered light and high humidity. ID 2944

Tapeinochilos (ta-PAY-no-KI-los) pubescens(pew-BES-sens)

Zingiberaceae     (ZIN-jee-ber-AY-see-ee)
Ginger Family