Sweet Thai Ginger

Most westerners are unfamiliar with this culinary spice, its bright refreshing flavor, and its crunchy texture. Sometimes called chinese keys, or finger root, the roots of the plant are usually used fresh, sliced thin, in salads or as a garnish. The flavor is similar to culinary ginger (Zingiber officinale), but sweeter, and much less pungent. The plant makes a wonderfull addition to a tropical plant collection, as its foliage and flowers are quite beautiful.

Boesenbergia rotunda is a good choice for people living in Northern latitudes because the plant will go completely dormant in the Winter. Simply dig it up and store it in a paper bag in a dark cool place and plant it in the Spring.

Origin

Southeast Asia

Family

Zingiberaceae

Binomial nomenclature

Boesenbergia rotunda

Common names

Finger root, Chinese keys, Sweet Thai ginger

Description

The Chinese keys plant grows to a height of 18″-24″. The ovate-oblong or elliptic-lanceolate leaves emerge from red leaf sheaths. Being from the family zingiberaceae, they grow pseudostems rather than true stems, so propagation is achieved by division of the bright yellow aromatic rhizome. Pink flowers emerge from the pseudostem apex, and are usually hidden beneath the leaves.

Height

18-24″

Temperature/Zone

Zone 9, 28°F or higher. In zones lower than 9, They can be Wintered indoors once they go dormant. Replant them in the Spring after the last freeze.

Light

Shade to part shade.

Water

Keep them evenly moist during the warm months, but allow them to dry out completely during the winter.

Fertilizer

I use an all purpose fertilizer while they are growing.

Cultivation

Finger root is a very easy ginger to grow. I have found it to be just as successful in the ground as it is in containers. B. rotunda prefers rich, well drained soil. Simply plant the rhizome 1″ deep, and keep evenly moist. It will emerge in approximately two weeks.

Pests

Scale insects sometimes attack B. rotunda.