Boesenbergia
( boh - zen - BUR - gee - uh )
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At-A-Glance InformationThis genus is comprised of flowering perennials that are native to tropical regions in Asia. They produce above-ground foliage similar to many Lily species, and flowers that resemble those of Orchid plants. Blooms are typically produced close to the ground. Boesenbergia are cultivated as both ornamental and crop plants, popularly known in Asia as Fingerroot or Chinese Keys. Plant Boesenbergia in a lightly shaded spot in the garden in a mixed bed or border, as a specimen plant in a container, or as a member of an edible or vegetable garden.
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Boesenbergia Species and Varietals
The genus Boesenbergia is a member of the plant family Zingiberaceae, and includes 93 species. The best growing zones for Boesenbergia plants are USDA hardiness zones 9-11. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Boesenbergia rotunda (Curcuma rotunda, Boesenbergia pandurata, Kaempferia pandurata) (Chinese Keys, Fingerroot, Lesser Galangal, Chinese Ginger, Temu Kunci, Krachai) These plants are known as medicinal and culinary herbs, and are native to China and southeast Asia. It produces rhizome roots that are cultivated and have a taste similar to Ginger. Plants reach 2-3 feet tall, and produce flowers in between leaf sheaths towards the bottom of the plant. Blooms are white to light pink, and bloom one at a time. |
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Caring for Boesenbergia
Grow these perennial plants in full sun to partial shade. Roots will grow larger the more sun these plants get, so if you are growing them for harvesting, make sure they are getting at least 6 hours of direct sun each day. In warm, dry climates, they prefer to receive some afternoon shade during the warmest hours of the day. Ensure that soil is well-draining, moderately fertile, and has a pH of between 5.5 and 7.5. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Also, make sure that the planting area is free from hardpan layers and any large rocks that could interfere with the growth of the edible roots. Mulch around the base of the plant with organic mulching material to help retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth. Keep mulch away from the plant stems, as this can encourage an environment for root rot issues to take hold. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants perform well in consistently moist soils. Withhold water in wintertime.
Each year in springtime, apply a 2-inch layer of organic compost around the planting area to improve soil structure, drainage, and nutrient load. This one feeding will be sufficient to carry the plants through their active growing and blooming seasons. Pruning is not necessary for these plants, though any damaged, diseased, or otherwise unsightly foliage can be trimmed off at any time during the growing season in order to clean up the look of the plant. Do not remove more than 1/3 of the foliage off of the plant at any one time; these plants need plenty of photosynthetic material to produce strong roots, which is especially important if you will be harvesting them.
Harvesting Boesenbergia (Fingerroot)
The roots of Boesenbergia plants are typically ready to be harvested around 8 months after plants are installed, or when the above-ground foliage turns yellow and fades. Gently dig up the mature plant, ensuring that no damage is done to the rhizome roots. Roots can be stored in a dark, cool, dry place like a root cellar, or in the refrigerator. Fingerroot can be used fresh or powdered and added to curries, soups, and stir fries. To use fresh, wash the rhizome and peel it, then slice, mince, or pound into a paste. Powdered fingerroot can be added to marinades, dressings, or spice blends. It is also used to make herbal teas and mixed drinks. The rhizomes have a complex flavor profile that is earthy, herbaceous, and slightly sweet with a distinctly peppery undertone. It has been described as being similar to Ginger, but milder, sweeter, and more aromatic with a subtle citrus flavor.
Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.
Each year in springtime, apply a 2-inch layer of organic compost around the planting area to improve soil structure, drainage, and nutrient load. This one feeding will be sufficient to carry the plants through their active growing and blooming seasons. Pruning is not necessary for these plants, though any damaged, diseased, or otherwise unsightly foliage can be trimmed off at any time during the growing season in order to clean up the look of the plant. Do not remove more than 1/3 of the foliage off of the plant at any one time; these plants need plenty of photosynthetic material to produce strong roots, which is especially important if you will be harvesting them.
Harvesting Boesenbergia (Fingerroot)
The roots of Boesenbergia plants are typically ready to be harvested around 8 months after plants are installed, or when the above-ground foliage turns yellow and fades. Gently dig up the mature plant, ensuring that no damage is done to the rhizome roots. Roots can be stored in a dark, cool, dry place like a root cellar, or in the refrigerator. Fingerroot can be used fresh or powdered and added to curries, soups, and stir fries. To use fresh, wash the rhizome and peel it, then slice, mince, or pound into a paste. Powdered fingerroot can be added to marinades, dressings, or spice blends. It is also used to make herbal teas and mixed drinks. The rhizomes have a complex flavor profile that is earthy, herbaceous, and slightly sweet with a distinctly peppery undertone. It has been described as being similar to Ginger, but milder, sweeter, and more aromatic with a subtle citrus flavor.
Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.
Propagation
Boesenbergia, or Fingerroot, plants can be propagated either from seed or through division of roots. Unfortunately, seeds are seldom produced, meaning that this type of propagation can be difficult to complete. To propagate your Boesenbergia, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Boesenbergia by Seed
Propagating Boesenbergia by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance (especially if you are growing Boesenbergia in containers). To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Boesenbergia by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
- Harvest your seeds. The seed pods on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
- In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Propagating Boesenbergia by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance (especially if you are growing Boesenbergia in containers). To propagate by division, follow these steps:
- Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the rhizome(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick rhizome section attached.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divided rhizomes about an inch under the soil surface and water thoroughly.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.
Problems and Pests
Boesenbergia plants are typically pest and disease free, though they can suffer from the following ailments from time to time:
- Aphids
- Mealybugs
- Spider Mites
- Leaf Spot
- Thrips
- Shoot Borers
Gallery
Here, a Boesenbergia is grown in a container in a partially shaded area of a garden.
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Boesenbergia plants produce pseudostems, which are really just rolled-up leaves.
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Boesenbergia plants produce beautiful, almost orchid-like flowers.
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