Nitrogen Fertilizers for Red Ginger

Red ginger blooms year round in tropical or subtropical gardens.

Red ginger blooms year round in tropical or subtropical gardens.

Ornamental red ginger, Alpinia purpurata, grows naturally in tropical forest margins as an herbaceous evergreen. Soil enriched with leaf mold or composted bark is recommended for this plant. Avoid calcareous soils with a high pH level to prevent yellowing of the leaves, called chlorosis. Maintain a pH level of 6.0 to 6.8 for optimum performance. Monthly fertilization with a balanced liquid fertilizer keeps red ginger healthy. However, additional nitrogen increases flower production.

Liquid Fertilizer

Liquid or water-soluble fertilizers with a high nitrogen content in comparison to phosphorous and potassium are appropriate for red ginger. Fertilizer analysis is expressed on the label as three numbers separated by dashes. The first number represents the percentage of nitrogen in the fertilizer. The second number represents phosphorous, and the third number represents potassium. Select a fertilizer with a higher nitrogen content. Follow label instructions to avoid excessive fertilization.

Organic Matter

Although red ginger thrives in humus-rich, fertile soil, organic matter can immobilize nitrogen, making it unavailable to the plant. Organic matter is classified according to the amount of carbon content compared to the nitrogen content. Humus is made up of the ideal ratio for plant health, which is 10 parts carbon to one part nitrogen, expressed as 10:1. During decomposition of organic matter by microbial activity, while it is being turned into humus, carbon is used for energy and nitrogen is used to build cells. When the organic material does not supply sufficient nitrogen, microbes seek nitrogen from other sources, taking it from the soil. Mulch red ginger with only composted organic matter to avoid nitrogen deficiency.


Various types of plant meal are high in nitrogen content and can be used to amend soil for planting red ginger. Meal-type fertilizers release nitrogen over a one- to four-month period. Corn gluten meal has an analysis of 9-0-0. This meal inhibits germination of seeds. Cottonseed meal contains all three of the major elements, having an analysis of 6-0.4-1.5. Soybean meal has an analysis of 7-2-1. Blood meal, a slaughterhouse by-product, has the highest nitrogen content of all meal products, with an analysis of 12-0-0.


Work meal-type fertilizers into the soil when the soil is moist and the temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Red ginger has rhizomous roots. Till fertilizer into the soil at least 6 to 8 inches from the plant base to avoid severing roots. Follow product instructions for the amount of fertilizer to use per application.

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