White ginger lily

Hedychium coronarium, the white ginger lily, is a tall ginger-family plant with clusters of pure white, butterfly-shaped flowers and a sweet, heavy scent in the evening. It grows wild in damp places in the Himalaya and north-east India and is planted in gardens across the country. It is the national flower of Cuba, and it has become an invasive weed in many warm countries.

Botanical name

Hedychium coronarium J.Koenig

Family

Zingiberaceae

Tamil

Suruli

Hindi

Dolan champa

Parts used

Flowers (scent)

Habit

Butterfly ginger; ginger is Zingiber

Last updated

2026-10-25

How to recognise White ginger lily

It forms clumps of leafy, reed-like stems one to two metres tall, with long, pointed leaves arranged in two rows.

The flowers are white, with a broad, butterfly-like lip, emerging from a green cone of bracts at the top of each stem. They open at dusk and are strongly fragrant.

The rhizome is thick and aromatic, like that of other gingers.

Kitchen ginger, Zingiber officinale, has small, rarely seen flowers and is grown for its rhizome.

Traditional use of White ginger lily

Garden and garland

The flowers are used in garlands and worn in the hair in parts of India and Southeast Asia, and the plant is grown near homes for its scent.

Indian and Southeast Asian practice

Modern notes on White ginger lily

Perfumers extract ginger lily absolute from the flowers.

Ecologists list it among the world’s worst invasive plants in places such as Hawaii, Brazil and South Africa, where it forms dense stands along streams.

White ginger lily safety

Grow it for the flowers. The rhizome is not kitchen ginger.

Ecology and sourcing

It grows in moist forests, stream banks and marshes in the Himalaya, north-east India and Southeast Asia.

Hawkmoths pollinate the night-scented flowers. If you grow it outside its native range, keep it away from streams.

Related plants

Also in Zingiberaceae

Questions about White ginger lily

Is White ginger lily kitchen ginger?

No. Kitchen ginger is Zingiber officinale.

Why does White ginger lily smell strongest at night?

It is pollinated by night-flying moths.

Is White ginger lily invasive?

In many countries outside Asia, yes.

Can I grow White ginger lily?

Yes, in moist, rich soil with some shade. It spreads by its rhizomes.

Sources

• Hedychium coronarium J.Koenig — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
• Wikidata item Q1994229 (Hedychium coronarium)

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.