Oxblood ginger offers the ultimate two-for-one deal in plant form! You get to enjoy two great looks on one easy-care plant. This houseplant's fantastic foliage is rich green on top, and a stunning shade of purple-maroon underneath. It sends up new shoots as it matures, getting fuller from the bottom of the plant. 

Because rich color lies on the undersides of the leaves, it's most impactful to display oxblood ginger at eye level or even slightly above eye level (such as up on a shelf). That way you can maximize visibility of the bold reddish-purple coloring. 

This medium-size houseplant doesn't get too large -- it tops out around 2 feet tall. This makes it an ideal choice for well-lit desks and tabletops, as well as plant shelves and large terrariums. 

Buy Oxblood Ginger
Find it in our Trending Tropicals® collection online or at your favorite local garden center. 

Light
This selection of oxblood ginger prefers bright, indirect light. Like many tropicals, its leaves may suffer sun damage if it gets too much direct sunlight, particularly in Southern areas. It grows best with at least 70 footcandles of light. If you don't have a spot that close to a window, you can augment natural light with artificial light, or grow it completely under plant lights. 

Water
Oxblood ginger prefers regular watering, so don't allow the plant to completely dry out. But also avoid overwatering. If it stays wet or saturated for extended periods, the roots may drown, die, and rot. Check the moisture level of the potting mix by inserting your finger into the soil about an inch or two. If it feels moist, wait to water. Keep in mind that the frequency of watering changes throughout the year and depends on the size of the pot your plant grows in as well as the temperature of the indoor environment.

Humidity
Native to areas of the Amazon in South America, oxblood ginger enjoys average to high humidity levels. In especially hot or cold climates where heating or air conditioning is used a lot, it can be helpful to augment the amount of moisture in the air with a small humidifier, by growing the plant in a large terrarium, or grouping it closely with other houseplants. 

Fertilizer
Happily, oxblood ginger doesn't require any special fertilizers. You can feed it as little as once or twice a year (spring and summer are typically the best times to do this), or more frequently if you want it to grow faster. Use a fertilizer developed for use on houseplants and never exceed the amount (or frequency) advised on the fertilizer package. 

Pruning
Oxblood ginger is an easy-care houseplant in that it doesn’t require pruning. Simply clip off any dead or yellowing leaves as they age to keep the plant looking fresh.

This variety is grown for ornamental use and is not intended for human or animal consumption. We advise keeping it out of reach from children or pets that may nibble.