Mango Ginger is a unique and captivating plant that combines the qualities of both turmeric and ginger with a delightful hint of mango fragrance. This rhizomatous perennial boasts broad, lance-shaped green leaves and produces attractive, pinkish cone-shaped flower spikes with pale yellow or white bracts. The plant's underground rhizomes are the true treasure, emitting a distinct mango-like aroma and flavour that sets it apart from other members of the ginger family.
The growth habit of Mango Ginger is robust and adaptable, making it an excellent choice for Caribbean gardens. It thrives in well-draining, fertile soil and prefers partial to full shade, mimicking its natural understory habitat. The plant typically reaches a height of 3 to 4 feet and spreads through its rhizomes, forming dense clumps over time. Regular watering and occasional feeding with organic fertiliser will keep the plant healthy and encourage vigorous growth.
Beyond its ornamental appeal, Mango Ginger offers numerous benefits. The rhizomes are highly valued for their culinary and medicinal uses, often employed in traditional recipes and home remedies. They possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, making them beneficial for digestive health, skin care, and overall wellness. In cuisine, mango ginger adds a unique flavour to pickles, chutneys and curries, enhancing the taste with its distinctive mango-like aroma.
Introduce Mango Ginger to your garden and enjoy its dual appeal as an ornamental and a culinary delight. This plant not only adds lush greenery and exotic flowers to your landscape but also provides a source of flavourful and health-promoting rhizomes. Ideal for both novice and experienced gardeners, Mango Ginger is a versatile and rewarding addition to any garden.
Common Name: Mango Ginger
Botanical Names:
- Curcuma Amada
Family: Zingiberaceae
Other Names:
- Amada
- Amba Haldi
- Manga Inji
- Mavina Shunti
Origin: Eastern Asia (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Thailand)
Duration: Perennial
Habit: Mango Ginger exhibits a robust and adaptable growth habit, making it an ideal addition to any garden. This rhizomatous perennial thrives in well-draining, fertile soil and prefers partial to full shade, reflecting its natural understory habitat. Typically reaching a height of 3 to 4 feet, Mango Ginger features broad, lance-shaped green leaves that form dense, attractive clumps over time. It produces mesmerising, pinkish cone-shaped flower spikes with pale yellow or white bracts. The plant spreads through its rhizomes, which emit a distinct mango-like aroma, and with regular watering and occasional feeding with organic fertiliser, it maintains healthy and vigorous growth.
Hardiness: Hardy
Ginger, Mango
Top Diameter: 7"
Height: 5.75"