In the fall of the year, it can be difficult to find color in shady areas of gardens in the coastal region of South Carolina. Dancing Ladies ginger (Globba winittii) grows in USDA planting zones 8 to 11 in moist, well-drained, humic soils with indirect light exposure. They enjoy bright indirect sunlight or dappled sunlight under pine and oak trees. Smaller root systems allow them to thrive amongst other larger rooted plant material. However, 4 to 6 hours of morning sunlight is needed for proper plant health and best flowering. Overexposure to the sun can leave gingers a yellow mass of leaves on the ground if hot sunlight burns them. In the winter, expect ginger to die back in the cooler months, reemerging in the spring as the soil warms up.
Dancing Ladies ginger grows 12 to 24 inches tall and 8 to 16 inches wide. The lance-shaped leaves will emerge in the spring once the soil temperature is between 70 °F to 85 °F degrees and consistent moisture levels are maintained. The purple and white bracts with tiny yellow flowers will appear from late June until the plants go dormant in the fall. The common name “dancing ladies” is derived from the way the yellow flowers move gently in the breeze and are suspended from the bracts.
Dancing Ladies ginger (Globba winitii) has purple or white bracts with tiny yellow flowers that will sporadically bloom from late June until the plants go dormant in the fall.
Glen Payne, ©2024, Clemson Extension
Dancing ladies can be used in shade gardens, containers, raised beds, and in moist areas with well-drained soil. Native companion plants include oakleaf hydrangea. Other shade-loving plants that can be used to complement ginger are aspidistra, hardy ferns, hostas, and Lenten roses. The clumps can be easily divided for transplanting.
Slugs & snails can be problems to ginger and should be scouted for each week. Diatomaceous earth can be used preventatively to keep pests away, acting as a gritty obstruction to help keep your gingers healthy, lush, and flowering all growing season long. When planted in soil that is kept too wet or does not drain well, gingers will be susceptible to root rot and other plant pathogens.
