Costus for Sale: Pre-Purchase & Growing Guide

• How it’s sold: Buying an established plant gives the fastest, most reliable start; growing from seed is possible but slower and less predictable.
• Planting window: Plant in spring to autumn so roots establish in the right conditions.
• Climate fit: Suited to warm, frost-free gardens (zone 10); in cooler areas grow it in a movable container.

• Cold protection: Frost will damage it — keep it under cover or move potted plants indoors when nights turn cold.
• Space & siting: Allow for a mature size of about 1–2.5 m (3–8 ft); it also does well as a container houseplant in bright light.
• Light mapping: Match your site to its needs — full sun to full shade. Give the brighter end for the best flowering.
• Soil readiness: Prepare fertile, well-draining soil before planting; a free-draining mix prevents root rot.

• Potting & planting: Plant into fertile, well-draining soil in the ground or a container with good drainage holes.
• Watering: Keep consistently moist in growth. Don’t let it dry out during active growth.
• Light: Position in full sun to full shade for healthy growth and the best flowering.
• Feeding: Feed through the growing season with a balanced fertilizer, switching to a bloom feed as buds form.
• Upkeep: Tidy spent growth and watch for the usual pests; good airflow keeps foliage healthy.

Costus earns its place by offering a colourful ornamental display of white, pink, red, yellow or orange blooms and decorative foliage. With a long season of interest from most of the year mostly, it works well in beds, borders, patio pots or as an indoor specimen. You may also see it sold as Spiral gingers.