My neighbor and I started a quest back around Christmas to get ourselves a butterfly ginger (Hedychium species?). The neighbor managed to find some at the local Lowe's and gave one to me. I managed to get mine to grow, but it's looking pretty spindly. I have it on the front porch (eastern exposure) with my curcuma gingers where it doesn't get much, if any, direct sun. It's pretty small and spindly and hasn't really grown since I moved it off the back porch (western exposure on a hot concrete patio, with direct late afternoon sun) about a month ago. I keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Does this one need more sun, more food, less water? (I put some compost in the potting soil figuring that should be sufficient). It's still alive, just not growing very fast. Any advice?
Spindly Butterfly ginger
They need a big pot, lots of water and some sun. They are hardy here in zone 7 when planted in the ground.
I moved it back on the back porch. It seemed to like it better there. It will get a little more sun there.
If it doesn't grow fast enough, come see me. I have loads of it! It does love water and rich soil. It grows faster that way.