Shampoo Ginger
This is the famous Awapuhi ginger from Hawaii. Hawaiians used this amazing plant for a great many things. The leaves were used in their earth ovens as a wrapping around fish and pork, to keep the meat moist and to impart a gingery flavor. The rhizomes were used as medicine, as well as for adding a pleasant fragrance to their clothing.
You can see the shampoo from the flowers in this video
The most interesting use for this plant, by far, is the shampoo made from the flowers. The inflorescences exude a slippery, soapy feeling, liquid that is actually a very effective shampoo. It is not harsh at all, and can be left in your hair as a conditioner, or rinsed out. The shampoo has a very pleasant ginger smell. It is also very effective for massages, and leaves the skin feeling very moist and hydrated.
Zingiber zerumbet is not actually native to Hawaii. It was one of the many “canoe plants” that were brought by Polynesians from Tahiti. It is originally from India, and has made it’s way all over the world, due to its usefulness.
As well as being useful, the plant is very beautiful. The tall, gracefully arching foliage, with it’s glossy dark green leaves, make’s a wonderful display. Toward the end of the growing season, the inflorescences emerge from the ground a lime green, pine cone, shape. Small cream colored blossoms grow from between the green flower bracts. Once it is finished blooming, the flower bracts change color to a very dramatic shade of red. This is when it is ready to be harvested for shampoo.
Zingiber zerumbet is a very forgiving tropical. It likes shade, and can be grown from bright shade to dark shade. Like other Zingibers, it goes completely dormant in Winter, and needs to be kept dry during its dormancy. In Northern climates, It can be dug up, and stored in a paper bag with some sawdust or dry potting soil, until Spring.
Origin
India
Binomial nomenclature
Zingiber zerumbet
Common names
Awapuhi, shampoo ginger, red pinecone ginger
Description
This plant has attractive, dark green, glossy, foliage, with tall arching pseudostems. The lateral inflorescence emerges a lime green color, with creamy yellow labellums. The flower bracts later turn a vibrant red color, and exude a viscous sap that can be used as shampoo and lotion.
Height
7′
Temperature/Zone
Zone 8b, 32°F or higher. This ginger goes completely dormant, and can be dug up and Wintered indoors in Zones lower than USDA zone 8.
Light
Filtered shade.
Water
Keep them evenly moist during the warm months, but keep them completely dry during the winter.
Fertilizer
I use an all purpose fertilizer. Do not fertilize during the Winter. Be sure to supply phosphorus toward the end of the season to ensure that the rhizomes are thick and healthy for Winter dormancy.
Cultivation
Zingiber zerumbet likes a rich soil, but is remarkably tolerant of the poor sandy soil in Florida. Hard clay soil should be loosened and amended with gypsum prior to planting.
Pests
Aphids sometimes attack the tender new growth.
