Costus afer

Costus afer, also known as Bush cane or Spiral ginger, is a species of flowering plant in the family Costaceae. It is native to tropical West Africa, particularly Nigeria, and has become popular as an ornamental plant in many other parts of the world due to its striking appearance and ease of care.

Habitat and Popular Cultivars

Costus afer grows in a variety of habitats, including rainforests, savannas, and along riverbanks. It is a clumping plant that can grow up to six feet tall and four feet wide. The plant produces spiral-like inflorescences that can be pink, orange, or red in color, depending on the cultivar.

Habit: An upright to spreading perennial growing up to 1.5 m tall indoors producing bamboo-like stems that spiral in a clockwise or counter-clockwise fashion bearing the leaves on the outside of the spiral and clusters of light pink flowers from a cone-like structure at the top of each stem.



Temperature: Plants grow best between 15 to 25ᐤ C and temperatures below 4ᐤ C may result in the death of the plant.



Light Exposure: Plants will grow well in bright, indirect light to some exposure to weak direct light (either early morning or late afternoon sun). When placed in too dark of a location, leaves will yellow rapidly and fall off.



Watering: Spiral Ginger like a moist growing medium but not soggy; water only when the top 3 cm of soil feels dry to the touch. Always check the soil moisture first but as a rule of thumb watering once a week in the rainy season, once every two or three weeks in the cold dry season and twice a week in the hot dry season.



Fertilising: Give plants a well balanced fertiliser once a month during the hot dry season and rainy season but not during the cold dry season when plants are resting (semi-dormant).



Pruning/Repotting: Remove yellowing leaves and withering stems to keep the plant tidy. Tall leggy plants can be cut down to just above soil level and allowed to reshoot. Spiral ginger can grow quite vigorously and may need dividing every three or four years; clumps can be cut in half or quarters and repotted into appropriately sized pots.

Pest Control: Common pests that can affect Costus afer include mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects. These can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil, but it is important to ensure that the product is safe for use on the specific plant species.

In conclusion, Costus afer is a striking and easy-to-care-for plant that can be grown in a variety of settings. By providing the plant with appropriate lighting, fertilizing, potting up, watering, humidity, and pest control, it can thrive and provide a beautiful addition to any garden or indoor space.