How to Grow & Care for Torch Ginger (Etlingera Elatior)

Torch ginger differs from the common ginger root because of its distinct flavor profile and edible parts. Torch ginger is eaten for its flower buds and stems. It has a prominent citrus taste and is often used in seafood dishes in Southeast Asia. However, the common ginger is from the root of the plant, is used everywhere, and is well-known for its spicy and warm taste. Torch ginger is edible, and Southeast Asian cuisine commonly uses its flower buds, stems, and fruits to flavor dishes. Additionally, the fully bloomed flower is also often used for decorative purposes. Torch ginger flower buds taste citrusy with a mixture of sweet and sour. It is often used to flavor seafood dishes in Southeast Asia but can also be eaten raw or used as a garnish. Apart from the flower buds, the stems, and fruits are also edible. Torch ginger is challenging to grow indoors as a houseplant due to its need for high humidity and warm temperatures.

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Even if they manage to grow, they are likely to be short-lived with no chances of blooming. However, growing them in large 3-gallon containers in a heated greenhouse may be a possible option. Most of the time, the plant spreads its rhizomes and seeds readily. So even if it dies back, more dormant roots in the ground are waiting to develop. It has even become invasive in Costa Rica, China, and Hawaii. This is why starting one in your garden may not be a good idea unless you restrict it to a 3-gallon or larger-sized container. Remove damaged and old branches, foliage, and flowers of the plant. Sometimes, you may even trim them to keep them small. Overall, Torch ginger is one of many curious edible plants to try one day. It may be trickier to grow in your container garden, but if you manage to pull it off, you can expect plenty of harvest throughout the year. Happy planting!

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Weeds are pretty in their own way — relentless and ever-growing like Kudzu. I grew up gardening then went cold turkey on plants for a few years until coming back to it, and becoming obsessed. Vendor List Privacy Policy. Is Torch ginger similar to regular ginger? Can I eat Torch ginger, or is it toxic? What is the flavor profile of Torch ginger? How do you grow Torch ginger indoors? In Sundanese , it is known as Honje. Luang Prabang , Laos. Contents move to sidebar hide. Article Talk. Read Edit View history. Tools Tools. Download as PDF Printable version. In other projects. Wikimedia Commons Wikispecies. Herbaceous perennial plant. Jack R. The tropical look: an encyclopedia of dramatic landscape plants.

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Timber Press. ISBN Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 4 January Sains Malaysiana. Jessica, Wrubel ed. The Spruce. Dotdash Meredith. Retrieved Florence Tan's Timeless Peranakan Recipes. OCLC